Developing A Strengths-Based Organisational Culture

A strength-based approach to organisational development is growth-oriented, excellence-focused and reinforces every aspect of organisational functioning. According to a comprehensive study by Tony Rutigliano on “Building a Strength-Based Organization”, strengths-based organisations (SBOs) capitalize on positive outcomes by systematically selecting employees based on talent, positioning them to use their strengths every day, and integrating strengths into key processes and systems organisation-wide. This strengths-based focus can be used at all levels within the organisation. From recruitment and talent selection, to leadership and team development, and outplacement, using a strengths-based method can help any organisation succeed.

A strength-based organisation provides employees with a work culture that keeps them emotionally engaged and happy with the work that they do. With this, employees look forward to coming to work, performing tasks and fulfilling organisational objectives. Sounds too good to be true? According to research by Gallup Inc., a strength-based organisation results in better productivity, employee retention and profitability. Gallup also notes that the strength-based organisation stands poised to develop the strongest and most talented employees (Source).

Organisations that are strengths-based in their approach are able to achieve a multitude of benefits. These include:

· Being able to effectively carry out search, selection and recruitment of those who are a right fit for the job based on their unique strengths. This helps to increase engagement and retention of employees within the organisation.

· Leaders in the organisation are able to identify their own strengths and the strengths of their teams. This creates a positive work climate where strengths are harnessed and people are able to thrive.

· Ability to harness the strengths of employees to improve performance and ensure employees stay motivated on the job. This also steers the culture of the entire organisation towards attaining growth and development.

· An organisational culture that understands and appreciates each person’s unique capabilities and leverages on them. This encourages diversity and inclusion by valuing individual differences and contributions and helps build diverse teams within the organisation and maximises creativity leading to improved performance.

· Based on all the above, strengths-based organisations experience increase in sales, profits, and customer and employee engagement. Likewise, the turnover and the number of safety incidents they experience is significantly less.

Strengths-based organisations focus on a more effective approach to managing their people and developing them. It provides a work culture where conversations about strengths are frequent and productive – shaping people’s mindsets and approaches to work and where decisions are often made based on individual or team strengths (Source),

Using Management Drives, organisations are better able to achieve team synergy and enhance productivity. This software tool provides insights into the drives that determine how a person or team uses their knowledge, skills and competences. To find out more about how you can understand and build your organisational culture with a strength-based approach using Management Drives, kindly visit our website here.