James shares their Strengths journey

Why Strengths

In 2021, I found myself at a genuine crossroads.

After leaving a senior corporate leadership role, I knew instinctively that stepping straight into another big title or organisation wasn’t the right move. What I wanted next felt more personal, more meaningful — and more impactful.

Through friends running growing businesses, I began consulting across sales strategy, leadership, and performance. It didn’t take long to realise that while I could keep doing that work, something else was pulling me forward.

I wanted to focus on what I do best: helping people unlock potential that isn’t fully being used yet.

That led me back into talent recruitment and development — and quickly reminded me why I’d always loved this space. Not because of filling roles, but because of shaping careers, supporting growth, and helping people understand how they actually perform at their best.

During that period, I was reintroduced to Strengths Profile, a tool I had used many, many times in various roles — all became clear, and it changed everything.

It gave language and structure to what I had intuitively seen for years: when people understand their strengths, energy, and patterns, their confidence grows, their decisions sharpen, and their performance becomes more sustainable.

That insight became the foundation for how I coach today — helping individuals and organisations move forward with clarity, self-trust, and intention.

Why Strengths?

Unlocking potential. Elevating performance. Creating lasting impact — and living a bigger life by design.

Strengths-based work starts with a simple truth:
when you understand how you naturally operate at your best, everything becomes easier — decisions, performance, confidence, and direction.

This isn’t about fixing what’s wrong with you.
It’s about learning how to work with who you are.

My Strengths Journey

In 2021, I found myself at a genuine crossroads.

After leaving a senior corporate leadership role, I knew instinctively that stepping straight into another big title or organisation wasn’t the right move. What I wanted next felt more personal, more meaningful — and more aligned.

Through friends running growing businesses, I began consulting across sales strategy and leadership. But it quickly became clear that while I could keep doing that work, something deeper was calling me forward.

I wanted to focus on what I’ve always done best:
helping people unlock potential that isn’t fully being used yet.

That pulled me back into talent recruitment and development — and reminded me why I’d always loved this space. Not because of filling roles, but because of shaping careers, guiding growth, and helping people understand how they actually perform at their best.

The tool that gave language and structure to this work? Strengths Profile.

Interestingly, my very first “proper” role after university was in people development. In many ways, this was a return — with experience, perspective, and purpose.

By 2024, strengths-based coaching became the heart of my work.

While HiR still supports organisations with discreet talent and recruitment projects, my primary focus is helping individuals and teams use their strengths to transform how they work, lead, and live.

Why Strengths-Based Coaching Works

Traditional approaches often fixate on weaknesses — what’s missing, broken, or not good enough.

Strengths-based coaching does the opposite.
It amplifies what already works.

When people play to their strengths:

• confidence increases

• motivation comes more naturally

• performance improves without burnout

• engagement and satisfaction rise

The research backs this up:

• People who use their strengths regularly are significantly more engaged at work

• Strengths-led teams consistently outperform others on productivity and collaboration

• Individuals who understand their strengths experience lower stress and higher satisfaction

But beyond the data, the real power is practical:
strengths give you clarity.

Clarity about what energises you.
Clarity about what drains you.
Clarity about where your unrealised potential actually sits.

Why I Use Strengths Profile

I’ve been around psychometric assessments for more than 20 years.

I’ve seen them:

• shut doors that shouldn’t have been closed

• surface potential before someone could see it themselves

• transform team culture when used properly

Strengths Profile stands out because it’s not a personality label or a static test. It’s a science-backed, dynamic framework that shows:

• what energises you

• what depletes you

• where you’re naturally strong

• where potential is being underused

Used well, it becomes a shared language — not a box.

Strengths Are the Foundation — Not the Finish Line

Strengths aren’t a one-off discovery.
They’re the starting point for meaningful change.

Most people spend years wondering why some tasks drain them while others make them feel unstoppable. Strengths-based work shortens that journey dramatically.

But insight alone isn’t enough.

That’s why coaching matters.

Coaching helps you:

• apply your strengths in real situations

• navigate challenges and setbacks

• refine how you show up over time

• stay accountable to what actually matters

This is exactly why I start all coaching with Foundations.

How Strengths Show Up in My Work

Foundations (4 weeks)

A focused, strengths-based coaching experience designed to create clarity, momentum, and direction — without pressure or long-term commitment.

Ongoing Coaching (Memberships)

Flexible monthly, fortnightly, or weekly support to help you keep applying your strengths as life and work evolve.

Team & Organisational Work

Supporting leaders, teams, and organisations to improve performance, collaboration, and engagement using strengths-led approaches.

Talent & Recruitment Support

Using strengths-based frameworks to support fairer hiring, better role fit, stronger retention, and more inclusive outcomes.

What Happens When You Work in Your Strengths?

• You stop wasting energy on what drains you

• Decisions become clearer and faster

• Confidence grows because you trust how you operate

• Performance improves without constant push

• Work and life feel more sustainable

Strengths Profile isn’t just a tool.
It’s a philosophy for working and living with intention.

If you’re ready to understand yourself better — and use that understanding to create meaningful progress — this is where the work begins.

Start Living YOUR Life by Design NOW

Coaching Memberships

Ongoing support that adapts to your life, coaching memberships let you continue the work at a rhythm that suits you.

Foundations Program

Everyone's starting point: a 4-week program because you’re ready for clarity without pressure. Foundations is the simplest, most supportive way to begin coaching.

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