Leading with Strengths: A Hands-On Approach to People Leadership

Early in my career, performance reviews were tough. My leaders were honest and fair, but most of the conversation focused on where I fell short and what I needed to “fix.” Sure, I got some credit for what I did well, but the spotlight always seemed to shine on the gaps. The truth was, I could probably get better at those things, but I’d never love them, never be great at them, and I had little motivation to try.

That experience stuck with me. As I grew into leadership roles, it shaped my philosophy: fixing weaknesses might make someone acceptable, but building on strengths is what makes them exceptional.

That’s why I lean on the Gallup StrengthsFinder model and a philosophy of leading people by focusing on their natural strengths. When people get to do what they do best every day, they bring their best energy, creativity, and contributions to the business.

The shift looks like this:

• Fixing weaknesses → meets minimum expectations.

• Building strengths → unleashes excellence.

As leaders, our role isn’t to mold people into something they’re not. It’s to help them see who they already are, and build around it with honesty and respect.

For me, that comes through a hands-on, learn-by-doing style. Leadership isn’t about standing on the sidelines. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, working alongside your team, and modeling growth in real time. That’s how you earn trust and create an environment where people feel empowered to learn and grow.

When people use their strengths daily and see their leader doing the same, the results are powerful:

• Teams that feel valued and energized

• Leaders who build trust through action

• Organizations that unlock their full potential

The takeaway:

True leadership isn’t about patching up weaknesses. It’s about building on strengths, learning by doing, and creating a culture where everyone can become the best version of themselves at work.

 How do you help your team play to their strengths?