Activating your talent is the antitote to stress, burnout, and feeling disengaged at work
For those navigating the nonprofit conservation and environmental sector, burnout can become an all-too-familiar companion. Alarming signals from organizations like the Urban Institute stress the urgency of infusing well-being practices into the workplace to counter stress, burnout, and the quiet exodus of employees. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic, calls for racial equity, economic challenges, and the weight of climate change have intensified the pressure on this sector, rendering the toll unsustainable.
The conservation workforce is weary, yet waiting for organizations to solve this issue isn't a viable option. There's a strategy, above all others, that can reverse burnout and reignite passion in conservation and mission-driven professionals: the discovery and investment in their unique talents.
Drowning in Disengagement
Global workplace engagement stands at a mere 23%. Engaged employees find meaning in their work, feel connected to their team and organization, take pride in their contributions, and willingly go the extra mile. Astonishingly, a staggering 78% of workers appear disengaged—merely filling seats or watching the clock. Such detachment often resembles burnout, manifesting as boredom, fatigue, and stress. These individuals are more prone to experiencing burnout and stress and may even actively work against the organization's goals.
The nonprofit sector, including conservation, continually witnesses the departure of valuable talent. It's evident that this sector requires a distinct strategy.
Unlocking Potential Through Talents
Amid the complexities driving the Great Resignation, a central factor outshines the rest: employee engagement. Engagement hinges on a crucial element—a talent-driven approach that guides employees to harness their strengths daily, propelling them into their zone of genius.
To put it simply, activating your talents repeatedly, in ways that capitalize on your skill, fosters strength development. When you focus on your strengths, engagement and fulfillment flourish. Thriving at work involves operating predominantly within your strengths zone.
The starting point is a fundamental question: What are my talents?
The Hidden Talents Dilemma
If asked about your core talents, how confidently could you respond? Often, people equate talents with skills or adopt buzzword phrases like "strategic thinker," "strong communicator," or "people person."
Our natural talents often remain elusive due to their innate familiarity. Furthermore, others rarely highlight our strengths—while skills and knowledge are acknowledged, talents often go unnoticed.
However, a true understanding of talents is more nuanced.
Regrettably, many employees lack clarity on their talents and seldom have opportunities to leverage them, leading to disengagement.
Defining Strengths
A strength surfaces when you utilize a talent to achieve near-perfect performance. It combines your natural talent, knowledge, and skill. Engaging in strengths-based activities leaves you feeling powerful, accomplished, and invigorated.
Strengths are evident in various work facets:
How you interact with others
How you take action
How you process information
How you influence your peers
Feeling empowered when utilizing a talent is an indicator of a strength. Engaging in strengths energizes you, making you lose track of time and culminating in enhanced energy afterward.
Nurturing Talents into Strengths
Recognizing your natural talents is a personal journey. Armed with this knowledge, you can transform these talents into strengths. Failing to grasp your talents leaves a significant blind spot in your career and life.
How can you uncover your talents? Reflect on the following four questions in relation to specific activities:
When do you feel strong?
Focus on moments when you operate instinctively, energized, and perhaps even lose track of time. These are instances where your talent effortlessly shines.
What do others see as your greatest strength?
Ask friends, family, and colleagues for their perspectives on your strengths. Others often identify strengths that we might overlook.
How do you define success?
Your strengths often align with your definition of success. Activities that make you feel successful are indicative of strengths.
What does your intuition tell you?
After pondering your strengths, trust your intuition. It becomes more attuned as you explore your strengths.
If these questions leave you uncertain, you're not alone. Identifying strengths can be challenging due to their inherent nature. Consider using tools like the Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment or reading Marcus Buckingham's Go Put Your Strengths to Work.
By embracing this journey, you can unlock your talents, transform them into strengths, and ultimately reshape your relationship with your nonprofit career. Your talents are the untapped reservoirs of potential that can revitalize your engagement, empower your performance, and spark a newfound passion in the important work you do.