During a training session on Handling Difficult Conversations recently, a question was raised: "We all respond differently to conflict. Why is that?"

There are many reasons we respond differently. Some relate to our life experiences and how they shape the way we interact with the world around us, particularly when conflict arises. Some of it, however, goes deeper. It is less about psychology and more about physiology.

Whether it is the menopause, neurodiversity or another factor, there are times when we cannot control our responses to conflict or our environment in the same way others do.
This is where strengths profiles can be incredibly useful and insightful. When we understand our "why" and our "what", that information becomes as valuable as code in a game. It forms the backbone of our self-awareness and helps us understand how we interact with the world around us, particularly our colleagues.

One of the richest areas of information within a strengths profile is the insight into what energises and motivates us: our realised strengths. These insights help us and others understand what we do best, while also highlighting the areas where we are still developing.

This is not about arbitrary personality profiling with typing that puts us in boxes. It is evidence based, grounded in positive psychology and focused on understanding ourselves through the lens of our strengths. These are the strengths we use every day, the ones that bring us to life in our working lives. They help us understand what motivates us, what gives us energy and what enables us to perform at our best.

Getting the best from our teams seems like a natural thing to focus on, but in the busyness of everyday work we do not always stop to consider how. It is easy to assume that technical skills alone are enough to make someone successful in their role. But we are not machines, and we are not all the same.

Our skills are only one part of who we are. The way we think, communicate, respond to challenges and interact with others is unique. Each of us comes with our own set of instructions, strengths and preferences.

Understanding our strengths and development areas helps us navigate the complex web of interactions that make up working life, whether that is communication, workplace expectations, collaboration or line management. When we view these elements through then lens of our strengths, we gain a better understanding of what motivates people, what helps them thrive and where they may need additional support.

This insight creates a shared language that enables individuals, line managers and leaders to better understand one another. It provides a roadmap for how people can work at their best, maximise their potential and continue to grow.

For more information about our strengths profiles, get in touch with us at info@freshseed.co.uk.