A strengths-based prescription for success

Tarina Shah shares insights on how community pharmacies can thrive by leveraging character strengths…

For many in the industry, there are three essential pillars that drive lasting success: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and productivity. But have you ever considered how tapping into your team’s unique character strengths could transform these areas?

There is a misconception in society, as discovered by Marcus Buckingham, a researcher, best-selling author, and business consultant who found that while some 61% of people were found to believe that we grow most when we focus on our areas of weakness, we experience our greatest learnings and successes when we focus on using our strengths! One reason for this is that your strengths are things you’re good at and enjoy doing so when you are engaged, energised and enjoying what you are doing, you tend to be much more optimistic, courageous and resilient when faced with obstacles and setbacks.

By focusing on the positive traits each team member brings, you can cultivate a thriving pharmacy environment that not only meets business goals but also fosters well-being and resilience. Let’s dive into how focusing on character strengths can unlock the potential of your team and elevate your pharmacy’s performance as we go into the new year.

Understanding Character Strengths: Why They Matter in Community Pharmacies

Scientifically validated research by the VIA Institute on Character has shown that there are 24 central character strengths in human beings, each falling under larger categories called virtues. These character strengths are the positive parts of our personality, qualities like kindness, curiosity, perseverance and humour and are a vital part of who we are and that are considered valuable by other people and by society. Unlike technical skills, which are tied to specific job functions, character strengths focus on who your employees are rather than what they do. This is an important distinction, as studies show that when people are encouraged to recognise and leverage their strengths, they experience increased job satisfaction, better relationships, and enhanced performance.

In the context of a community pharmacy, this approach can foster a more engaged team, create memorable customer interactions, and ultimately drive business success. By nurturing the best in your team, you can cultivate an atmosphere that’s not only efficient but also fulfilling for everyone involved.

Boosting Employee Engagement: A New Formula for a Happy, Productive Team

Embracing Each Team Member’s Unique Contributions

When you take the time to identify and appreciate the strengths of your staff, whether it’s their natural ability to empathise (kindness), solve problems (judgement), or connect with customers (social intelligence), you create a workplace where people feel seen and valued. This isn’t just about ticking a box for employee morale; it’s about genuinely engaging your team members, so they’re energised, and excited to contribute their best. Employees who feel appreciated are often more enthusiastic, which, in turn, leads to a more positive atmosphere throughout your pharmacy.

Creating a Strengths-Focused Culture

Imagine fostering a workplace where every team member is encouraged to use their strengths daily. By celebrating strengths like creativity, leadership, or bravery, you can inspire fresh ideas for patient care, streamline processes, and even rethink your marketing strategies. Consider hosting regular team meetings where staff can share recent wins tied to their strengths. These gatherings are not just about acknowledging success, they also reinforce a culture that focuses on leveraging what’s working well rather than constantly addressing weaknesses.

Strengths Matching to Build Stronger Teams

Strategically pairing team members with complementary strengths can significantly enhance collaboration. For instance, aligning someone with strong organisational skills with a team member who excels in leadership can create a dynamic duo that thrives on each other’s abilities. As you plan for the year ahead, incorporating team-building activities that spotlight these strengths can strengthen connections and boost morale.

Character Strengths can be The Active Ingredient in Boosting Customer Experience & Productivity

Harnessing Strengths for Feel-Good Customer Experience

The difference between a routine customer interaction and one that truly leaves a lasting impression often comes down to the character strengths your staff bring to their customer interactions. Customers who feel genuinely listened to and understood are more likely to return. Encouraging your teams to draw on their natural strengths can turn everyday exchanges into opportunities for building greater trust and loyalty.

Engaging and Personalised Strengths Focussed Training

Traditional training can often feel like a tick-box exercise. Instead, design your training programmes to be strengths-focused, interactive, and engaging. Workshops centred around character strengths like teamwork, perspective or critical thinking can provide your team with practical tools to connect with customers and each other on a deeper level. Strengths-based training empowers staff to bring their authentic selves to work, which increases engagement and enhances customer satisfaction.

Aligning Roles with Individual Strengths

Productivity naturally increases when employees’ strengths align with their job roles. Imagine the results if someone with a strength in perseverance was tasked with projects that require persistence or if a creative thinker was given the responsibility of generating new ideas for your pharmacy’s outreach efforts. Regularly reviewing how roles align with each team member’s strengths ensures that people feel energised by their work, leading to greater job satisfaction and higher productivity.

Setting Goals That Leverage Strengths

Setting goals is always a good practice, but it becomes even more effective when those goals are linked to an individual’s strengths. For instance, a team member who thrives on curiosity might be encouraged to explore new trends in the industry or delve into research that benefits your pharmacy. By aligning goals with strengths, you provide a pathway for growth that feels exciting and motivating.

New Years Resolution: Create Thriving Strengths-driven Pharmacy in 2025

When your pharmacy’s culture is built around character strengths, the impact can be profound. It transforms employee engagement, elevates customer service, and boosts productivity in ways that feel both natural and sustainable. By focusing on ‘what’s strong’ in your team rather than ‘what’s wrong’, you cultivate a workplace where respect, enthusiasm, and growth thrive. In 2025 why not make the shift towards a strengths-focused approach? The results could be a happier team, more loyal customers, and a flourishing business.

Tarina Shah is a qualified optometrist, executive coach and is the cofounder of Joynetix Limited where she leads training, development and culture change programmes for healthcare and life sciences organisations. She is Europe’s first and only accredited VIA strengths-based workplace consultant.