Start Your Projects from a Position of Strength — Especially When Resources Are Tight
Let’s be real: when the budget’s shrinking faster than your favorite pair of jeans after the holidays, and everyone’s drowning in “do more with less” vibes — it’s tempting to focus on what you don’t have.
But here’s the thing: success doesn't start by staring at the gaps.
It starts by leaning into your strengths.
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Why Strengths Beat Shortcomings
Back in my days working in career services at two different institutions, one of my favorite tools was the StrengthsFinder assessment. The whole idea was simple but powerful:
When you focus on what you’re good at, you unlock potential, fuel performance, and spark real success — all by tapping into what comes naturally to you.
And this philosophy isn’t just for personal growth. It works beautifully in organizations, especially when resources are tight.
Strengths-Based Project Planning: Your Secret Weapon
When an institution faces competing priorities and budget black holes, starting from a place of strength isn't about pretending the problems don’t exist. It’s about zooming in on what you do have.
Things like:
Relationship-building superpowers
Techno-functional know-how
Creativity and innovation
Institutional knowledge
Trust and collaboration
All of these are assets. And using them strategically? That’s how you move the needle.
5 Steps to Launch Stronger Projects
Let me walk you through a practical, strengths-first approach to project planning:
Step 1: Spot the Strengths
Let’s be honest — sometimes it’s easier to notice everyone else’s strengths than your own. That’s why I suggest turning this into a team exercise.
🗣️ Ask your team: “What’s one strength you see in each person here?”
This simple practice creates a ripple of positivity and reminds everyone they’re bringing real value to the table. Starting a project with this energy? It's the best.
Step 2: Plan First, Plug Gaps Later
Next, outline your project goals. Don’t think about the holes — think about the strengths you’ve got.
👉 Ask your team: “With the talent we already have, how can we achieve this goal?”
This flips the usual script. Instead of trying to fill gaps from the get-go, you focus on designing the plan around your existing assets.
It’s a refreshing way to work, and honestly? It forces creative, out-of-the-box thinking.
Step 3: The Power of Saying ‘No’
One of my all-time favorite phrases:
“In order to say ‘Yes’ to one thing, you have to say ‘No’ to something else.”
Trimming the to-do list is the hardest part. This is where an outside facilitator can be pure gold — someone who isn’t emotionally attached to every pet project can help you sort through what really matters.
Step 4: Spot the Gaps (Only After You’ve Built the Plan)
Now that you’ve got a draft plan rooted in your team’s strengths, now it’s time to look at what’s missing.
Where do you actually need outside help?
What resources will bridge the gap between “almost there” and “mission accomplished”?
How will you make a case for those resources?
When you lead with strengths, the gaps become clear — and often, much smaller than you first thought.
Step 5: Revisit Your ‘No’ List
Once you’ve identified new resource needs, circle back to your “No List.”
🗣️Ask your team: "Is there anything else we can let go of, so we can double down on what really moves the needle?"
The more intentional your "no," the stronger your "yes" becomes.
Final Thought: Strengths First, Always
Whether you’re managing an implementation team, streamlining operations, or just trying to improve administrative flows, starting from a position of strength is more than just a positive mindset — it’s a smart, strategic one.
You’ve already got assets at your fingertips. The key is recognizing them, applying them, and confidently building around them. The gaps? They’ll sort themselves out, one smart “no” at a time.
If you’d like help facilitating these kinds of conversations for your team, you know where to find me. Reach out here.
Let’s make your next project your strongest yet.
