By Bill Mason, Rocket Fuel Coach
Every team has them — the organized planner who keeps projects on track and the compassionate listener everyone turns to when things get tough.
But what happens when those very strengths start working against them?
As a strengths coach, I often talk about “balcony” and “basement” behaviors. In the balcony, our strengths shine. In the basement, those same strengths can become overused, stressed or misdirected. Two common examples I see in workplaces are Discipline and Empathy.
Unlocking Your Co-worker’s Discipline Superpower
Do you have a co-worker who’s usually the one to keep everything organized and on track, but every so often, they seem to get overwhelmed by the details? I’ve got one on my team who’s typically the epitome of structure, always keeping things running like clockwork. But recently, when faced with an unexpected project, they seemed bogged down by perfectionism, unable to make any progress. It was like watching a master planner stuck in the basement of over-analysis!
This is a classic case of “basement” behaviors for someone with the Discipline strength. When things feel chaotic or off-track, they can get paralyzed by the need for order and control. But at their core, they have an incredible ability to create structure, stay focused, and make progress with precision.
How can we help them get back to their “balcony” and thrive? Here are 3 ideas:
- Break Down the Tasks – Help them take things one step at a time. Simplifying complex tasks into smaller chunks can reduce the pressure to be perfect.
- Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection – Encourage them to acknowledge progress over perfection. Small wins can help them stay motivated and remind them that good enough is often enough.
- Reinforce Their Strength – Recognize their natural ability to bring order to chaos. Highlight how their structured approach keeps everything on track and is an invaluable asset to the team.
Unlocking Your Co-worker’s Empathy Superpower
Do you have a co-worker who’s usually amazing at understanding and connecting with others, but every so often, they seem overwhelmed by everyone else’s emotions? I’ve got one on my team who’s typically the go-to person for offering support and understanding. But recently, after hearing a few colleagues venting about their challenges, they became emotionally drained and started withdrawing. It was like watching someone with a superpower stuck in the basement of burnout!
This is a classic case of “basement” behaviors for someone with the Empathy strength. When they feel overwhelmed by others’ emotions, they can become too absorbed, losing their own sense of balance. But at their core, they have an amazing ability to sense the emotions of others, offering deep understanding and building meaningful connections.
How can we help them get back to their “balcony” and shine? Here are 3 ideas:
- Encourage Boundaries – Remind them to take time for themselves and set emotional boundaries. It’s okay to care, but they don’t have to carry everything.
- Provide Positive Feedback – Acknowledge their incredible ability to connect with and support others. Highlight how much their empathy contributes to the team’s morale.
- Help Them Recharge – Encourage them to take moments to recharge and focus on their own well-being. A balanced Empathy strength will allow them to continue to offer support without burning out.
Fuel the Strength, Don’t Fight It
The key is not to “fix” the person — it’s to redirect the strength.
Discipline brings order to chaos. Empathy builds bridges between people. When supported well, both strengths elevate the entire workplace.
Stay strong. Fuel your strengths. Ignite your potential!
