The Modern Leadership Issue - 33

Unlocking the power within
It's important to recognize two approaches to employee
development: the conventional approach that focuses on areas
of weakness and the strength-based approach that focuses on
identifying and leveraging an individual's unique talents and
strengths. As a leader in organizational development, Breanna
Jackson, MBA, SHRM-CP believes the strengths-based
approach promotes a more equitable workplace. Breanna sat
down with Victoria Rodgers (IDEA Strategist & Coach) to share
perspectives on how this approach gleans outcomes rooted in
equity, inclusion, and positive well-being.
Here are five actionable takeaways covered by Breanna:
1. IDENTIFY AND LEVERAGE EACH EMPLOYEE'S
UNIQUE STRENGTHS.
By recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of each
employee, leaders can create a more engaged and productive
workforce. This approach allows employees to contribute to
the team in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling.
2. ACTIVELY LISTEN TO IMPROVE RECOGNITION.
Everyone wants and deserves recognition in different ways.
For some, recognition may come in the form of more work,
demonstrating trust in their abilities. For others, they may
simply want acknowledgement for a job well done.
3. PROVIDE STRUCTURE AND CLARITY.
While it's important to recognize and leverage an employee's
strengths, it's also important to provide structure and clarity.
By doing so, employees will feel welcomed and included, which
can help mitigate conflicts arising from differences in
communication styles or work approaches.
4. FOSTER A SENSE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY.
Leaders should foster a sense of psychological safety, which
means creating an environment where employees feel that
they can speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear
of punishment or retribution. Here lies the importance of
curiosity in being allies in the DE&I space. By embracing
diversity and being open to different approaches, leaders
can help create a more equitable workplace where everyone
feels included and valued.
5. EMBRACE THE TENSION.
Adopting a strength-based approach does not mean ignoring
areas of improvement or accountability. Rather, it means
understanding an employee's unique strengths and
leveraging them to accomplish tasks in a way that feels
authentic and fulfilling. Leaders should embrace the tension
that may arise from differences in communication and work
styles by focusing on mitigating conflicts to promote
collaboration and productivity.
Leading with a strengths-based, equitable approach requires
a commitment to understanding and leveraging each employee's
unique strengths, providing recognition and affirmation, providing
structure and clarity, fostering a sense of psychological safety,
and embracing the tension. By doing so, leaders can create
a more engaged and productive workforce better
equipped to tackle challenges and achieve goals.
CONTINUED on next page
PERFORMANCE MATTERS / PG 33
The Modern Leadership Issue

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