How To Start And Build A Strength-Based Business

“Don't push your weaknesses, play with your strengths.” Jennifer Lopez

Huh? A strength-based business, you ask? Yes.  If you want to start, build, and grow a successful and sustainable business – it starts with your strengths (not your weaknesses).

Which sounds simple, right?

However, when you move from a full-job job or leadership role into an online business, there is a heck of a lot to know. Suddenly you can feel overwhelmed and out of your depth. You have to wear all the hats. When you were an employee, you didn’t need to know about operations or advertising or marketing or strategy – you just did your work and got the job done.

When you are so overwhelmed and feeling out of control because there is so much to know and do, and you’re making mistakes (because we all do!) – as a small business owner, your focus will quickly turn to your weaknesses – and that focus can affect everything you do.

In this blog, we are talking all about how to build and grow a strength-based business.

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What is a strength-based business?

When people start up a business, there is an expectation that we have to be good at everything- and anxiety kicks in because of the fear of failure and other contributing factors, which can cause a downward spiral.  However, that downward spiral can be minimised or avoided if you take a strength-based approach.  

What is a strength-based business?

A strength-based business is one that focuses on your strengths! Strengths are usually the areas or activities we find easy or enjoy and it doesn’t really feel like work.

Take a moment to check in with yourself and your business – are you focused on your strengths?

Did you know: Katrina Streatfeild, clinical and counselling psychologist, says psychologically our strengths come from a period of time in our life where we’ve developed strategies or skills that help us get through the tough periods. People tend to look at these as survival strategies. 

Knowing this – what are your survival strategies and are you using them as strengths in your business? Set some time aside for self-reflection.

How do you find your strengths?

Simply, start focusing on what you’re good at and enjoy, and answer these questions.

• What do you think your strengths are?
• What are you doing that you really enjoy?
• What makes you uniquely good at what you’re doing?
• What tough experiences have you lived through?
• Talk to other people; what do they think your strengths are?

Your personality also has a lot to do with your strengths. What traits do you bring to each situation regardless of what’s happening? Katrina says there are links between your personality and your strengths, and what motivates and drives you. Your personality should help you shape what your business is going to look like. 

HOT TIP: Your business needs to fit who you are!

If you want to understand your personality more and what drives you – check out the Myer-Briggs or Gallup personality test.

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Advantages of creating your small business based on strengths

Starting and building a strength-based business will help you:

• Prevent burnout
• Cultivate a growth mindset
• Do the things you enjoy
• Become more self-confident
• Stretch yourself in business
• Become a leader in your industry
• Nurture and grow a dynamic team
• Build your business to be a happy place

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How do I get started with my strength-based business?

To get started with your strengths-based business, it’s important to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Once you know your strengths and especially your weaknesses, you can move forward in the direction you want to take your business.

When you realise what your weaknesses are (and you celebrate that knowledge!), you can outsource those tasks to your team so you can carry on with doing the tasks and activities in your business that make you feel fulfilled.

Learning how to outsource tasks that you don’t enjoy or aren’t good at to someone who is good at it, can be the key to your business success. However, when making your first hire, be sure to think about how culture, personality, skills, strengths, work ethics, etc. are all factors in getting the right person for the job!

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Are you starting or scaling your business? The Online Business Liftoff Podcast can help 

It’s important to stay flexible and agile and always create your content for your avatar.

Our passion is to help small business owners to succeed with their online business. One way we can help you on an entrepreneurial journey is through our podcast and by showcasing amazing experts. 

You can listen to Katrina on our podcast here:

Check out Episode 52: How To Start And Build Your Business Using A Strength-Based Approach

Check out Episode 42: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome  

Listen to Episode 48: Understand and Get Past  your Self-limiting Beliefs in Business