Strengths Mastery – Enabling Increased Engagement, Energy, and Resilience
How often do we stop to recognise what we’re truly great at, not just what we can do, but what energises and sustains us in the face of challenge?
Ahead of her interactive workshop at the Business Analysis Conference Europe 2025, Corrine Thomas, Director of Choices Coaching Ltd, shares her insights into how a strengths-based approach can transform the way individuals and teams work. With a background that spans executive coaching, business analysis, and positive psychology, Corrine explores how identifying and using strengths can boost motivation, build resilience, and foster truly empowered collaboration.
In this written interview, she reflects on the mindset shifts needed to tap into our full potential and how recognising the strengths in ourselves and others can unlock a happier, higher-performing work life.
1. Strengths First
Your session centres on the idea that many people don’t fully recognise or use their strengths. Why do you think this is so common — even among experienced professionals?
Strengths are skills that come naturally to us, we use them without thinking and so often don’t stop to consider what it was about a task that makes it easy for us, or what quality or skill we have that makes it easy. Because they feel easy and natural we don’t pause to think what it is we are doing.
2. Energised Work
How does working from a strengths-based mindset impact energy and motivation, particularly for BAs and change professionals in high-pressure environments?
We feel energised and motivated when we use our strengths. If you are facing a stressful and high-pressure situation at work, if you can tap into your strengths to work on this, it supports you in maintaining a positive outlook and having a growth mindset. It is useful to break something which can feel overwhelming into a task that is manageable, and then identify what strengths you can use to move it forward, this will make it motivating.
3. Strengths in Others
You also talk about recognising strengths in others. What are some simple ways leaders or team members can do this more intentionally?
We can spot skills in others by listening carefully to them when they are talking and noticing how they talk, what body language they are using and how well the conversation flows. When somebody talks about a strength they will typically be animated in what they say, use lots of words, talk for a while, and use expressive body language. Conversely, if it is a topic they find hard, their words will be far more stilted, there will be many more pauses, you may hear lots of umms.
4. Practical Impact
Can you share a real example of how a strengths-based approach helped shift the performance or dynamics of a team?
I recently ran a strengths workshop for the senior leadership team of a company. During this, the team identified their strengths, and each member of the team created a personal poster to share with their colleagues. This showed their strengths and how they could support others; plus areas where they were not so good and wanted support from their colleagues for. This enabled the team to see what different qualities they brought to the team and how they could support each other when facing challenges. The CEO was driven, excellent at building relationships, and very competitive; all good strengths for developing the business. However, he was not good at organising, planning, and focusing on details. There was another member of the team who loved to organise and plan. They had previously never talked about how they could support each other doing activities they both enjoyed.
5. Resilience Through Strengths
How can identifying and using strengths support resilience — especially when teams are navigating uncertainty or change?
We build resilience over time through the experience of getting through challenges and learning from them. If you are aware of your strengths and can tap into them during uncertain times, it supports you in developing strategies to handle difficulties and create a positive outlook.
6. Team Dynamics
What advice do you have for teams that want to move beyond individual strengths to build a collective strengths culture?
Understand your personal strengths and regularly share what you are good at and are willing to support others with. Regularly assess what collective strengths the team has and how you can pool those strengths to be a stronger team.
7. Personal Insight
As a coach and psychologist, what’s one strength you’ve discovered in yourself that’s shaped your approach to your work?
I am a good listener and am also able to stay centred in many situations. This enables me to keep my focus on my client and create a calming space for people to explore and learn about themselves.
8. Workshop Takeaway
What’s the one thing you hope attendees will start doing differently after experiencing your session at BA2025?
Talk openly about their strengths.
Join Corrine Thomas at the Business Analysis Conference Europe 2025
🗓 Wednesday, 17 September 2025 | 🕘 09:30 – 13:00 BST
📍Convene 133 Houndsditch, 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB
🎤 Strengths Mastery: A Powerful Practice for Enabling Increased Engagement, Energy, and Resilience for Individuals and Teams
Discover how to identify and harness your personal and team strengths to boost motivation, resilience, and collaboration. In this practical, energising workshop, Corrine will show you how to unlock your strengths, recognise the strengths of others, and build empowered, high-performing teams even in times of change and pressure.005dfeDiscover how to identify and harness your personal and team strengths to boost motivation, resilience, and collaboration. In this practical, energising workshop, Corrine will show you how to unlock your strengths, recognise the strengths of others, and build empowered, high-performing teams even in times of change and pressure.
