Your Team Already Has What It Takes - Here’s How to See It

Written by Holger Bollmann | 2 Dec 2025

Under pressure, most managers try to fix what’s wrong but real progress starts by seeing what’s already strong.

When Everything Feels Like It's On You

If you’re a manager in today’s public sector, chances are you’ve felt the pressure to hold everything together.

Someone’s disengaged.
Projects are delayed.
Morale’s shaky.

And you’re stuck in the middle trying to make it better.

So you go into fixing mode.
You juggle workloads.
You offer support.
You try to rally the team.

But it still feels like you’re shouldering the weight of it all.

Here’s the truth: it’s not your job to fix your team.
It’s your job to see them clearly, honestly, and through the lens of what they already do well.

From Problem-Fixing to Strengths-Finding

We’re trained to spot what’s broken.
To look for gaps.
To focus on what needs improvement.

But when that’s your only lens, you miss what’s right in front of you:

The colleague who brings calm to chaos
The one who quietly helps others feel seen
The team member who thrives on turning complex into simple

When you focus on what’s strong, not just what’s wrong, you uncover the energy, trust, and adaptability already within your team. That’s where resilience begins.

Strengths Are More Than Skills, They’re Energy Sources

Strengths aren’t just what someone’s good at. They’re the things that give people energy, even when things are hard.

They’re what we lean into when challenges arise and what helps us recover after setbacks.

That’s why strengths matter for team resilience.
When people use their strengths regularly, they:

Bounce back faster from setbacks
Stay connected to a sense of purpose
Feel more confident and motivated
Are more likely to help others thrive too

According to Gallup, employees who use their strengths daily are:

6x more likely to be engaged at work

3x more likely to report excellent quality of life

External source: Introducing Resilience Outcome Expectations (SpringerLink)

How to Spot Strengths (Even If You’ve Never Done It Before)

Strengths aren’t always loud or obvious. Often, they show up in the quiet consistency of how people show up day-to-day.

If you notice…    It might be…
Someone stays calm when others panic Strength in emotional regulation or    composure
A teammate brings clarity to messy situations Strength in analytical thinking or structure
Someone always checks in on others Strength in empathy or connection
A colleague always finds a way forward    Strength in optimism or problem-solving

The key is not just seeing it — it’s naming it.

Try saying:

“You brought real clarity to that session — your strength in simplifying complexity really helped the group move forward.”
“Thanks for keeping us grounded when things were stressful. That’s a real strength of yours.”

Related reading: How to Make Feedback Work

You’re Not a Rescuer - You’re a Strengths Spotter

One of the most powerful mindset shifts in leadership is this:
You don’t have to carry the team; you have to unlock the team.

That starts with helping people reconnect to:

What they’re naturally good at
What gives them energy
Where they’ve succeeded before
How they can support each other

You don’t need a full team reset to do this.
You just need a few new habits.

3 Things to Try This Week

Here are three small shifts that create big change over time:

1. Ask a strengths-based question in your next 1:1

Instead of “How are things going?”, try:

“What gave you energy last week?”
“What was a win you felt proud of, even a small one?”
“Where do you feel like your strengths are being used right now?”

2. Spot a strength in action — and say it out loud

In a meeting, on a call, in a message, notice and name a strength.
Be specific. Be sincere. Don’t wait for a formal feedback moment.

“I really noticed your attention to detail today that’s a big asset to this team.”

3. Use a strengths lens in your next team debrief

After a project, task or milestone, ask:

“What strengths helped us succeed?”
“What can we carry forward into the next challenge?”
“Who showed up in a way that made a difference?”

This builds a culture where strengths and the people who bring them — are seen, valued, and energised.

Explore this further: Discovery Workshops

Final Thought: Strengths Build Resilience

Your team doesn’t need fixing.
They need seeing.

And when you start noticing what’s already strong, the skills, energy, insight, and effort already in the room everything else starts to shift.

People show up differently.
They contribute more.
They bounce back faster.
They grow together.

That’s resilience.
And it starts with you, the manager who sees what’s strong.