188 | “That’s Not Special, That’s Just Me”: How to Spot the Strengths You Can’t See (with Michele Deeks & Martin Galpin)

Have you ever dismissed something you do brilliantly because it feels easy? Perhaps a colleague has praised you for something and you've thought, "That's nothing special. Doesn't everyone do that?" The challenge is that some of our greatest strengths can be hidden in plain sight because they come so naturally to us. In this episode, we explore why recognising and using your strengths can have a powerful impact on your wellbeing, performance and enjoyment at work. We also look at why many people spend too much time relying on learned behaviours rather than the things that genuinely energise them. To help us unpack this topic, I'm joined by chartered psychologists Michele Deeks and Martin Galpin, co-founders of Work Positive and creators of the At My Best strengths tools. Together, we discuss the research behind strengths-based approaches, how to identify your own strengths, and simple ways managers, leaders and teams can help people recognise what they do best. What You'll Learn The difference between a genuine strength and a learned behaviour, and why recognising the distinction matters Why the strengths that come most naturally to you can be the hardest ones to spot How focusing only on weaknesses can limit development and prevent people from excelling Practical ways managers can help team members identify and use their strengths more often Why detailed positive feedback is more powerful than generic praise How reflecting on times when you've been at your best can help you identify your strengths A simple team activity that encourages colleagues to recognise and appreciate each other's strengths Chapters [00:00] Introduction: Hidden Strengths [00:31] Welcome, Guests & HR Planning Day [03:35] What Are Strengths? [04:21] Strengths vs Learned Behaviours [05:47] Fay's Personal Example: Time Management [06:43] The Impact of Overusing Learned Behaviours [08:26] Why Focus on Strengths at Work? [10:28] Fixing Weakness vs Building Strength [12:16] The Cost of No Positive Feedback [12:37] How Managers Can Weave In Strengths [13:06] The Leaving Party Effect [14:29] The Power of Detailed Positive Feedback [16:37] The Ripple Effect & Strengths Blind Spots [21:22] Using Strengths Cards with People Facing Redundancy [23:08] The Research Behind Strengths [27:10] Wellbeing & Financial Performance: Oxford Research [28:37] How to Identify Your Own Strengths [32:03] The Story Behind the Strengths Cards [35:24] Team Activities with the Strengths Cards [39:02] Book Recommendation & Job Crafting [43:46] Wrap Up Useful Links and Resources Connect with Michele Deeks on LinkedIn Connect with Martin Galpin on LinkedIn Visit the Work Positive website Explore At My Best resources and strengths tools Try the free Strengths Self-Reflection Tool Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Treat yourself to a copy of The Essential HR Planner Book your ticket for one of the HR Planning Days Books & Articles Recommended in This Episode Personalization at Work: How HR Can Use Job Crafting to Drive Performance, Engagement & Wellbeing, by Rob Baker Journal article:Flourishing in New Zealand Workers: Associations With Lifestyle Behaviors, Physical Health, Psychosocial, and Work-Related Indicators (2015),by Lucy C. Hone, Aaron Jarden, Scott Duncan and Grant M. Schofield Michelle McQuaid’s research on strengths-based organisational change University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre:Workplace Wellbeing and Firm Performance, by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Micah Kaats and George Ward HR Coffee Time Episodes to Listen to Next Episode 47:Discovering Your Values to Help Your HR Career, with Zoe Hawkins Episode 173:How to Build a Better Workplace Culture, So People Thrive at Work, with Aoife O'Brien Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss The Next One! Sign up for the free weekly HR Coffee Time email