1.Using online tools 

There are numerous personality questionnaires and strengths profiles you can use to help you clarify what your strengths are. Some of these are freely available online such as Via Character or Strengths Finder  

Once you have completed a survey and you have a list of strengths, take some time to reflect on these by asking yourself the following questions: 

• Do I enjoy using these strengths? 

• Which strengths do I find most energising and exciting? 

• How can I increase the application of these strengths at home and at work?
  
  

2. Self-reflection questions 

Often in coaching, I will share some questions with a client for them to reflect on between sessions. Not all the questions will be useful, and over-analysing is often unhelpful! I suggest finding a few minutes to sit and quietly read through these questions and respond instinctively: 

• What are you proud of? 
• What do you love to do? 
• When are you at your best? 
• What or who brings out the best in you? 
• What is your most significant achievement (work and home)? 
• What personal strengths lie beneath these achievements?
  

   

3. Capture your new learning  

Parenthood often reveals new or previously unseen skills and strengths such as empathy, patience and adaptability because we find ourselves thrown into a new role with a lot of responsibilities! Allowing yourself to pause and look back at your time away from the workplace can provide you with new insights into who you have become. I have offered some questions below; however, you may find that simply reflecting on the journey you have been on – the successes and the learnings – will give you the opportunity to discover just how much you have grown. 

• What have been the most challenging moments? 
• What did I learn about myself in these moments? 
• What have I found most exciting about this time? 
• What does that tell me about my strengths? 
• What am I most proud of during my parental leave?
  
  

4. Feedback from others 

If you find it difficult to come up with some ideas of your strengths on your own, or perhaps you’d like to test your thinking and see what you might have missed, asking other people for their feedback can be invaluable – and may even surprise you! It is a good idea to ask a few people (at least 5) and to ensure you ask people across the breadth of your life. So, you might include some people in your personal life and also some people in your work environment. You could even challenge yourself to ask people you might not usually ask for feedback! 

• What one word or phrase describes me best? 
• What do you value most about me? 
• What do you believe is my greatest strength? Why? 
• What is one thing I can do more of? 
• What is your greatest wish for me?
  

None of the ideas shared here are fixed – be playful and creative! If you are comfortable doing so, talk with your friends about what you are working on and explore these ideas together. When you are back at work, consider how you might leverage your strengths to help you manage the boundaries between work and your personal life and prioritise your well-being. And remember, this is an evolving process. As you settle back into work and re-establish your career things will undoubtedly change. They will continue to change as your child(ren) grow and your career develops. Re-visit your strengths regularly, editing, adding and enhancing them as you go! 

If you’d like support while adjusting to life as a working parent, please get in touch.