Process improvement project >>> Discipline, Achiever
Arranging a team dinner >>> Arranger, Responsibility
Leading a 'Set the bar' session >>> Learner, Significance
Writing customer-facing content >>> Communication, Input
Coaching and team development >>> Maximizer, Developer, Restorative
Welcoming new team members >>> Woo, Includer
Supporting a beta launch of a product >>> Adaptability, Activator

You'll avoid personal conflicts by changing the conversation. Using people's strengths as a talking point helps to remove the personal issues found in every workplace. Even in startups, when you are part of a "family", there is constant tension. Some people think someone is out to get or spite them. Using strengths helps you to elevate the conversation to a new perspective. You can use new language and identify where people's strengths are in conflict, instead of them feeling like there is a personal vendetta against another team member.

If you've read up to here, but haven't taken the strengths assessment, stop and do it now. Strengths discussions illuminate the path to efficiency, engagement, and happiness for your CSMs. OK, now that you have your strengths, let's walk through how to put them into action:

Reflect on your strengths profile. You can also work with your manager, a peer, a coach or someone outside of your organization. You will get a view on how you can best flex your strengths and deliver what your team needs.

Change the conversation from task-oriented to strengths-oriented. As your team begins taking ownership of their strengths, you'll start to notice new words appearing in your meetings. To start, this will need a nudge from you. Carve out a ten-minute block to talk through strengths. You can ask questions like:

• What was the new awareness you had through your strengths this week?
• What was the new pattern that you created?
• What was the new habit that you created as a result of thinking about your strengths in your work?
• What was different? What was the impact?

Some team members will be a little hesitant because this can feel like a very personal discussion. The key as a leader is to illustrate that sharing is the essence of learning. By explaining that there is no judgment, the environment will feel much safer. Encourage your team members to try something and if it works, it's a bonus.

Run your strengths workshop. We can deliver a half-day strengths workshop for you. If you don't have the budget for that, here's a simple 7 step blueprint you can follow to run your own.