Let’s Get Strong: Strengths at Work from edX

Please note: the UMD Power Lab is an optional lab, highly recommended, and costs an additional fee. Please read the important statement at the bottom of the description.

This course will help you build the confidence to bring your best self to work by identifying and learning to capitalize on your unique strengths. Strengths-based management is the secret ingredient to creating employee engagement which increases key performance indicators for all organizations.

This certificate offers an extraordinary opportunity for you to spend some quality time with yourself to assess your current level of soft skills, clearly define your core self, and build soft skills which are essential to professional, not to mention life, success.

Not only will your performance increase when you capitalize on your strengths, you’ll enjoy your work much more.

We have been schooled on fixing our weaknesses from grade school to the workplace. Weakness correction only gets you to acceptable, that is no weakness. Weakness correction alone does not get you to outstanding performance levels. Not individually and not as an organization. Identifying, accepting and embracing, and capitalizing on your strengths is the difference between good performance and excellent performance. Doing this with your team or your organization is amazing!

This course focuses on strengths, who you are at your best, not on skills, like knowing how to keyboard. Skill weaknesses, of course, must be addressed. They can be improved.

The course will define strengths, explore several strengths models, provide a free self-assessment of strengths for all learners, and help you learn to capitalize on your strengths and manage your weaknesses.

Verified learners who access the Power Lab to take additional self-assessments and receive confidential individual results from the Realise2 Strengths Profile. The Realise2 Strengths Profile provides strengths feedback along three axes: is it a strength, how often are you using it, and does its use energize you. This strengths assessment provides a dynamic tool to optimize your use of your full portfolio of strengths at work allowing you to increase your energy by how you deploy your strengths. It is a very insightful and practical tool which can be used with teams as well.

This course will prepare you to become the leader you hope to be by focusing deeply on understanding your strengths. Practical tools and techniques for use right away to be happier, more productive, more promotable, and more passionate at work.

Get the Models - Understand three models of strengths

Get Why It Matters - Understand the business case for using strengths-based management versus weakness-correction

Get the Data – Learn your unique strengths profile and how to optimize your strengths at work

Set the Goals - Set personal development goals for using your strengths more

Learn the Tools - Learn tools and techniques for how to use your strengths to improve your performance and your team’s performance

Take Action - Build effective action plans to use strengths more at work

Make the Change – Put your strengths to work to increase your effectiveness as a leader

Get the Benefit - Be able to develop as a great leader able to create great culture: build positive workplaces where individuals flourish and organizations thrive

The UMD Power Lab includes a curated set of self-assessments offered at a discounted price paid separately from the edX content and certificate. These self-assessments are rigorously developed and cannot be supplemented with free versions that would mislead learners with poor-quality alternatives. The UMD Power Lab is optional but highly recommended for any verified learner in the course. It costs $89 per year and only needs to be purchased once per year for the entire suite of courses in the Re-Imagining Leadership Professional Certificate.

We've done everything we can to reduce these costs for you, and have built a free SMART Goals Mobile App to help you achieve your goals. Used together this forms a revolutionary design to coach learners at scale in leadership and power skills as a premium but low-cost experience above and beyond learning the course content and earning the edX certificate.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn differences between strengths, traits, and skills while also understanding the business case for strengths-based management.
Understand signature strengths, how to capitalize on them , and how to manage weaknesses

Have the ability to strengths-spot at work, re-engage your work tasks to use strengths more, and collaborate across strengths for better, more satisfying results
The ability to examine your character strengths and virtues results from reputable models for strengths assessments. (via, gallup's clifton strengths, and the strength's profile)

Learn differences between strengths, traits, and skills while also understanding the business case for strengths-based management.
Understand signature strengths, how to capitalize on them , and how to manage weaknesses
Have the ability to strengths-spot at work, re-engage your work tasks to use strengths more, and collaborate across strengths for better, more satisfying results
The ability to examine your character strengths and virtues results from reputable models for strengths assessments. (via, gallup's clifton strengths, and the strength's profile)

Syllabus

Week 1: What are Strengths?

Introduction to Course

What are Strengths?

Mini-Lesson: How to Assess Strengths

Why Focus on Strengths?

Week 2: What are Your Strengths?

What are Your Strengths?

Best Self-Introduction

Best Self 360

Week 3: Modeling Strengths

Gallup's Clifton Strengths

VIA Character Strengths

The Strengths Profile

Week 4: Capitalizing on Strengths

Go Ahead, Own Your Strengths

Manage Your Weaknesses

Double Dare You: Using Your Strengths

Slow Your Roll: Beware of Excess

Week 5: Capitalizing on Strengths - Case Studies

Job Crafting & Re-Energizing

Amp Up Collaboration

Strengths to Excess/Deficit

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners how to understand and leverage their strengths to improve performance

Provides a free self-assessment of strengths for all learners

Helps learners set personal development goals for using their strengths more

Offers an in-depth examination of character strengths and virtues using reputable models

Provides practical tools and techniques for using strengths to improve performance

Offers case studies to help learners apply concepts to real-world situations

Reviews summary

Great course for personal growth

According to students, Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work is a great course for personal growth and development. Students report that this course provides valuable information on identifying strengths and weaknesses and utilizing them in the workplace. The material is engaging, and the instructors are knowledgeable and supportive. Overall, learners say that this course is a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to improve their teamwork skills and advance their career.

The instructors for this course were knowledgeable and supportive.

"I really enjoyed this course."

"Nice material training."

Students highly value the content of this course

"I really enjoyed this course. It helps knowing who you are and reshapes how you think of of working with a team."

"Nice material training. It is giving us a new how to learn about character our strengths and how to capitalize strengths and manage weakness and make the Smart goals to capitalize and manage weakness. A new information how use our strengths and collaborate with team. Thank you"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Let’s Get Strong: Strengths at Work with these activities:

Read 'StrengthsFinder 2.0'

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Increase your understanding of strengths-based management and how to apply it in your own life.

View How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids on Amazon

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Purchase the book and read it thoroughly.
Take the online StrengthsFinder assessment.
Reflect on your results and identify your top five strengths.

Network with Professionals Who Value Strengths-Based Approaches

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Build relationships with professionals who can support your strengths-based development journey.

Browse courses on Networking

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Attend industry events and meetups.
Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
Reach out to individuals who you admire and ask for informational interviews.

Watch TED Talks and Videos on Strengths-Based Leadership

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Gain inspiration and learn from thought leaders in the field of strengths-based management.

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Search for TED Talks and videos on strengths-based leadership.
Watch and listen to the content attentively.
Reflect on the key insights and how you can apply them to your own life.

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Develop a Strengths-Based Development Plan

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Create a plan to develop your strengths and improve your performance.

Browse courses on Personal Development Plan

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Identify your goals and objectives.
Assess your current strengths and weaknesses.
Develop a plan to develop your strengths and address your weaknesses.
Implement your plan and track your progress.

Volunteer in a Role that Leverages Your Strengths

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Apply your strengths in a real-world setting and make a difference in your community.

Browse courses on Volunteering

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Identify organizations that align with your interests and strengths.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Interview for the volunteer position and highlight your relevant strengths.
Fulfill your volunteer commitment and make a positive contribution.

Career center

Learners who complete Let’s Get Strong: Strengths at Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Talent Development Manager

Talent Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing programs to improve the skills and knowledge of employees. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different employees and can use this knowledge to help them reach their full potential. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding how to create and implement development programs that best serve the people you support.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Development Manager

Organizational Psychologist

Organizational Psychologists study the behavior of people in the workplace and develop strategies to improve employee productivity and satisfaction. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different employees and can use this knowledge to help organizations achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different employees and how to best help them use these strengths to the advantage of the organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Psychologist

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different teams and can use this knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your team so that you can better lead them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts study the needs of businesses and organizations and develop solutions to improve their operations. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different organizations and can use this knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a business and how to best meet the needs of the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating the operations of an organization. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different teams and can use this knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your team so that you can better lead them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for ensuring that the products and services of an organization meet the highest standards. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different processes and can use this knowledge to help organizations improve their quality. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a business, particularly as it pertains to talent, and how to best meet the needs of the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Manager

Change Management Consultant

Change Management Consultants help organizations implement changes to their operations. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different organizations and can use this knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a business, particularly as it pertains to talent, and how to best meet the needs of the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Management Consultant

Management Consultant

Management Consultants provide advice to businesses and organizations on how to improve their operations. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different organizations and can use this knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a business and how to best meet the needs of the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and projects. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different teams and can use this knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your team so that you can better lead them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Organizational Development Consultant

Organizational Development Consultants help organizations improve their performance by developing and implementing strategies to improve employee productivity and satisfaction. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different organizations and can use this knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a business, particularly as it pertains to talent, and how to best meet the needs of the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Consultant

Leadership Coach

Leadership Coaches help leaders develop their skills and achieve their goals. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different leaders and can use this knowledge to help them reach their full potential. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful in helping build a foundation for understanding how to use your own strengths to become a better leader, as well as how to help other leaders build their skillsets and understand how they can capitalize on the strengths of the people they lead.

See salaries and explore the career path for Leadership Coach

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall success of an organization. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their organization and can use this knowledge to make decisions that will help the organization achieve its goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your organization and could serve as a form of professional development on your way to becoming a CEO.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice to businesses and organizations on a variety of topics, including strategy, operations, and human resources. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different businesses and can use this knowledge to help their clients achieve their goals. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it can help Consultants understand the strengths of a client and how to capitalize on them. It is also possible that this course may help build a foundation in understanding the best ways to frame these strengths to the client so the client can most effectively apply the advice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Talent Acquisition Manager

Talent Acquisition Managers are in charge of attracting and hiring top talent. They work closely with other departments to identify staffing needs and develop strategies to attract and hire the best candidates. People in this role often have a deep understanding of the strengths of different roles in a company, so they can better understand who would be a good fit. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful as it could help build a foundation for understanding the strengths of different roles and how to best find people who can use these strengths to the advantage of the company.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Acquisition Manager

Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialists spend their time effectively managing the human capital of an organization. People in this role handle a wide variety of tasks on a day-to-day basis, so it's imperative that they have strong communication skills and know how to lead effectively. Those great at managing people often have a keen understanding of people's strengths and weaknesses. Let's Get Strong: Strengths at Work may be useful in helping you learn the strengths of the people you work with and how to best manage them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist