Focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses is more likely to boost performance, according to research from the CIPD.

The findings of the research with the UK Civil Service won’t come as a surprise to advocates of a strengths-based approach, but as Jonny Gifford, senior research adviser for organisational behaviour at the CIPD, said, “The strengths-based approach marks a big shift in mindset for many, if not most of us.” The CIPD research centred on workplace interventions in Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the National Offender...