How to know my strengths and why it matters for your career

The problem with fixing yourself

We’ve been conditioned to believe that self-improvement is about patching up the holes in our personality. If you’re not organised, you buy a planner. If you’re not a 'people person', you force yourself into networking events until you’re blue in the face. But here’s the truth – you aren’t a project that needs fixing. When you spend all your energy trying to become mediocre at things you hate, you have nothing left to become exceptional at the things you love.

The quest to know my strengths isn't about vanity; it’s about survival in a workplace that often tries to mould us into identical corporate widgets. You might have been told you’re 'too sensitive' or 'too blunt' in the past. At Hey Compono, we believe those 'too much' traits are actually clues to your greatest professional assets. It’s time to stop apologising for how your brain works and start leaning into it.

Why your natural personality is the key

Your strengths aren't just things you’re good at – they are the activities that leave you feeling energised rather than drained. You might be a wizard with a spreadsheet, but if doing that work makes you want to stare into the sun, it isn’t a strength; it’s just a skill. Real strengths come from your natural work personality. They are the paths of least resistance where your best work happens almost on autopilot.

Think about The Pioneer. Their strength lies in imagination and risk-taking. If you force a Pioneer to spend eight hours a day doing compliance audits, they’ll wither. Conversely, The Auditor finds deep satisfaction in precision and standards. Neither is 'better', but they are built for entirely different battles. When you finally know my strengths, you can stop fighting your nature and start using it to your advantage.

How to identify your hidden talents

To truly know my strengths, you have to look at your behaviour when no one is watching – or when the pressure is on. What do you volunteer for? What tasks do you finish first because they’re actually fun? Often, our strengths are so natural to us that we assume everyone can do them. If you find it easy to rally a team during a crisis, you might be one of the Campaigners who lead through inspiration.

If you’re struggling to see it yourself, look at your conflict style. In a heated meeting, do you reach for data to cool things down? That’s The Evaluator in you. Do you focus on making sure everyone still feels heard? That’s the hallmark of The Helper. These aren't just 'nice' traits – they are high-value work actions that teams desperately need to function.

Stop the scroll and start the work

Most people spend years 'navigating' their careers by accident. They take the next promotion because it’s there, not because it fits. But when you use a tool like Hey Compono, you get a shortcut to that self-awareness. Our personality-adaptive approach doesn't give you generic advice; it validates the way you already think and gives you the language to explain it to your boss and your team.

Imagine a world where you don't have to pretend to be The Coordinator if you’re actually a creative soul. Imagine saying 'I’m at my best when I’m solving complex problems, but I need support with the admin' – and being respected for it. That’s the power of knowing your type. It turns a job into a career that actually fits your life.

The impact on your team and leadership

Knowing your strengths doesn't just help you – it makes you a better teammate. When you understand that you’re The Doer who loves execution, you can stop resenting The Advisor for wanting to explore every option. You realise that a high-performing team needs both. You need the person who gets it done and the person who makes sure it’s the right thing to do.

This self-awareness is the foundation of modern leadership. You don't need to be a carbon copy of a famous CEO. You just need to be the best version of your specific type. Whether you lead with empathy or logic, your team will trust you more when you’re authentic. It all starts with that first step: deciding to finally know my strengths instead of just listing your responsibilities.

Key takeaways

• Strengths are about energy, not just skill – if it drains you, it’s not a true strength.
• Stop trying to fix your nature – prioritise your natural personality over 'correcting' weaknesses.
• Identify your type – use frameworks like the 8 work personalities to find your dominant style.
• Communicate your value – use your strengths to define your role and set boundaries at work.
• Build better teams – recognise that diversity in personality types is what drives results.

Ready to understand yourself better?

• Get started: Start with 10 minutes free – no credit card required
• See how it works: Learn about personality-adaptive coaching

Frequently asked questions

How do I know my strengths if I feel like a generalist?

Even generalists have a 'home base' personality. Look at the tasks that feel effortless to you but look like hard work to others. Often, your strengths are the things you take for granted because they come so naturally.

Can my strengths change over time?

While you can learn new skills, your core work personality tends to stay stable. You might get better at 'flexing' into other styles, but your natural preferences – like a preference for logic over emotion – usually remain the same.

Is it okay to have 'weaknesses' in a professional setting?

Yes. Everyone has blind spots. The goal isn't to be perfect at everything; it’s to be aware of where you need support so you can collaborate with people who have the strengths you lack.

How does Hey Compono help me identify my strengths?

Hey Compono uses a science-backed assessment to map your personality against 8 key work actions. It gives you a clear profile of your dominant strengths and actionable steps to use them every day.

Should I tell my boss about my work personality?

Absolutely. Sharing your strengths helps your manager put you on projects where you’ll actually succeed. It transforms the conversation from 'what you're doing wrong' to 'how to get the best out of you'.