Have you ever felt like you’re working hard but not really moving forward in your career? Like no matter how much effort you put in, you’re not getting the recognition, the growth, or the opportunities you want?

One of the biggest reasons this happens? You’re not fully leveraging your unique strengths.

When you don’t have a clear understanding of what sets you apart, you risk blending in. You take on work that doesn’t align with your natural abilities, struggle to articulate your value, and miss out on chances that could propel you forward.

That’s exactly where Kristian found herself. As a junior editor at a small publishing company, she was skilled, dedicated, and passionate about her work. But when it came to career development, she felt stuck. She wanted to take on bigger projects, expand her role, and position herself for future leadership opportunities — but she wasn’t sure how to advocate for herself. She lacked the language to communicate her value.

Through coaching, Kristian learned that career growth isn’t just about working harder — it’s about working in alignment with your strengths. Here’s how she made that shift, and how you can too.

1. Identify What You Do Better Than Anyone Else

Kristian’s Challenge: Kristian had a general sense of her skills — editing, project management, working with authors — but she hadn’t taken the time to identify the strengths that made her exceptional. She focused on being “good at her job” rather than owning her unique edge.

Why This Strategy Works: When you pinpoint what you do exceptionally well, you start seeing career opportunities through a different lens. Instead of waiting for someone to notice your potential, you can position yourself strategically for the roles, projects, and conversations that move you forward.

How You Can Apply It:

• Write down three things people consistently compliment you on in your work.

• Reflect on moments when you’ve felt completely in flow — what were you doing?

• Ask trusted colleagues, “What do you see as my standout strengths?”

Example: Kristian realized her real strength wasn’t just editing — it was shaping a manuscript’s vision and mentoring new writers. Once she recognized that, she started actively seeking projects where she could play a bigger role in creative direction.

2. Align Your Strengths with Career-Advancing Opportunities

Kristian’s Challenge: She wanted to grow, but every time she thought about career advancement, she felt overwhelmed. Should she ask for a promotion? Take on more work? Move to a different company?

Why This Strategy Works: Instead of chasing generic “growth,” align your strengths with the right opportunities — ones that not only help the company but also develop your skill set in the direction you want to grow.

How You Can Apply It:

• Look at your current role and ask: How can I apply my strengths in a way that benefits both me and the company?

• Volunteer for projects that showcase your strengths — not just ones that need an extra hand.

• Position yourself for stretch assignments that develop your skills further.

Example: Kristian pitched an idea to her manager: She would lead a new author development initiative. This played directly into her strength of guiding writers and established her as a leader — without waiting for a title change.

3. Communicate Your Strengths with Confidence

Kristian’s Challenge: In meetings, she rarely spoke up about her contributions. She assumed that if she did good work, people would notice. But career growth requires advocating for yourself, not just hoping to be seen.

Why This Strategy Works: When you can articulate your strengths clearly, others start seeing you as the go-to person in your area of expertise. And that leads to more visibility, influence, and opportunities.

How You Can Apply It:

• Instead of saying, “I’m good at editing,” say, “I specialize in shaping manuscripts and guiding authors through the creative process.”

• When discussing a project, highlight the strength you used: “I leveraged my ability to simplify complex ideas to make the book more accessible.”

• Get comfortable talking about your strengths in performance reviews, team meetings, and networking conversations.

Example: Kristian stopped saying, “I helped an author with their manuscript,” and started saying, “I guided a new author through the editing process, refining their voice while maintaining their vision. The result? Their book is now one of our best-reviewed titles.” That shift made all the difference in how others saw her expertise.

Your Next Move: Own Your Strengths, Own Your Growth

Your career doesn’t advance just because you’re talented — it grows when you know your strengths, apply them strategically, and communicate them with confidence.

Kristian went from feeling stuck to leading projects that positioned her as a key player in her company. You can do the same.

✓ Take five minutes today to write down three strengths that set you apart. Then, ask yourself: “How can I use these to grow my career in the next three months?”

The opportunities are there. It’s time to step into them.

About Phyllis Reagin I’m Phyllis Reagin, a doctoral-trained behaviorist, Executive & Leadership Coach and leading expert in Imposter Syndrome. I have coached hundreds of leaders (from Netflix, Warner Bros., Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount, CNN, and more) to lead with greater confidence, influence, and impact.

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