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97 Examples of Key Employee Strengths & Weaknesses
Updated on:
July 11, 2025
Published on:
July 25, 2024
The conversation surrounding employee strengths and weaknesses is one that is continuously evolving. While there are always key strengths of employees that are sought after in every era, the way organizations construct their competency frameworks and the strengths they look for in employees keeps evolving over time.
When building a cross-functional team, every team member contributes to the group in their own way. This not only includes their areas of strength but also their areas of improvement as well. If you identify the strength and weaknesses of employees, you can not only build strategies around those areas but also start mapping out employee development plans accordingly.
This blog post will not only show you multiple different ways you can identify employee strengths and employee weaknesses but also include examples of employee weaknesses and strengths in various different categories. Referring to performance review summary examples can also provide valuable insights for this process.
While employee strength examples in this list can be used in the talent acquisition and recruitment phases as well as when determining competencies and role descriptions, the employee weakness examples can be used while determining personal improvement plans for your team members.
While there isn't a list long enough to discuss every single example of a employee strengths, there are some skills and competenecies that will stay relevant regardless of industry or era. Here are the key strengths of an employee that matter no matter the industry or department:
These 5 key strengths of an employee remain essential across all industries and roles, forming the foundation of workplace excellence:
The ability to analyze challenges, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions. Employees with strong problem-solving skills can:
Clear, effective communication that builds understanding and drives results. Some essential communication skills an employee needs to have in order to be considered a strong communicator include:
The Future of Jobs Report by WEF shows that 39% of all common skills in the world of work will be obsolete within the next 5 years. On employee strength that is always guaranteed to help employees thrive amid change and uncertainty is adaptability. Adaptable employees:
The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain work quality. Strong time management involves:
Working effectively with others to achieve shared goals. Collaborative employees:
Most of the time employee strengths and weaknesses are discussed during performance reviews. So below you will find some performance review strength and weaknesses examples:
We didn’t want to throw random employee strength examples at you without any structure. That’s why we put our employee strengths and weaknesses examples list together by dividing them into different categories.
These categories include various departments such as sales, human resources, marketing, and more, as well as various performance attributes. There are plenty of different employee strengths to look for in the work place. Same goes for employee weaknesses. So we aimed to tackle as many different categories as possible.
Below you will find 5 key strengths of an employee in sales as well as 5 areas of improvement that can be worked on in the future. We know that the relevancy of these qualities can change over time which is why we went with more universal and timeless qualities that are sought after in salespeople:
Employee Strength Examples:
Employee Weakness Examples:
The next batch of employee strengths and weaknesses examples are focused on marketing departments. Below you will find 5 employee strength examples and 5 examples of areas of improvement for employees in marketing teams.
Examples of Employee Strengths:
Examples of Weaknesses:
The next department we will be looking at in terms of employee strengths and employee weaknesses is customer service, support, and success. Below we’ve listed five examples of employee strengths for customer service people, as well as five weaknesses that can be examined in performance reviews or job interviews.
Strengths Examples:
Weaknesses Examples:
Below we’ve highlighted some examples of employee strengths and examples of weaknesses for human resources teams. People and culture is an incredibly complex and intricate department for organizations, and finding the right areas for talent development and core competencies is crucial.
Strengths Examples:
Employee Weaknesses Examples:
The whole conversation around areas of strength and areas of improvement doesn’t just apply to regular employees. There are key strengths and weaknesses that can be identified for those in management roles as well. That is why we put together this list of strengths and weaknesses for managers.
Employee Strengths:
Employee Weaknesses:
The last department-focused examples of employee strengths and weaknesses we will be looking at are going to be about IT departments. It goes without saying that an IT department that runs smoothly can make everyone’s lives in an organization a lot easier, the same way hiccups in IT teams can make everyone hate their lives. When evaluating IT teams you can list these strength and weaknesses in appraisals:
Employee Strengths Examples:
Examples of Employee Weaknesses:
While the examples we’ve listed in the sections above were specific to different departments, we also wanted to list some general employee strengths and weaknesses examples. So, whether you're looking to evaluate key strengths at work during appraisals or discuss weaknesses in interviews, this list is for you.
Overall Employee Strengths:
Weaknesses Examples:
Identifying employee strengths is merely the first step in a transformative organizational approach. Organization's gain their real competitive edge by finding a way to harness each employee's unique strengths to their maximum potential. So in this section, we will outline key strengths and how their impact on performance can be optimized.
Below you will find a detailed chart matching key employee strengths, how each strength impacts performance, and most importantly, how to optimize it for maximum impact:
Optimizing employee strengths for maximum performance impact starts with a nuanced, multi-dimensional assessment that goes beyond surface-level skill inventories. The first steps of this assessment should include:
Once you've identified the key strengths within your team that you want to optimize for high-performance, you need to go through the following three steps:
Another great tool for you to optimize your team in terms of strengths and weaknesses is the SWOT Analysis.
SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is a strategic tool businesses use during organizational strategy. However, it's equally powerful when applied to individual employee development. Examining these four key areas can help you create a comprehensive picture of where an employee stands and how they can grow within your organization.
Strengths (Internal Positive Factors)
Weaknesses (Internal Improvement Areas)
Opportunities (External Positive Factors)
Threats (External Challenge Factors)
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Here is a FREE interactive SWOT Analysis template that you can download in order to determine key development areas and unique strengths for employees
While the list of employee strength examples and the areas of improvement we’ve highlighted are quite useful, as a leader, you need to be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your employees effectively. So here are three key practices that will help you identify areas of improvement and recognize key strengths in employees.
Performance appraisals don’t just serve as checkpoints where you evaluate an employee’s performance. They are also very effective platforms that help leaders gauge just where their team is strong and where they can use some assistance.
The optimal performance review frequency may depend on a variety of different factors in your organization. That being said conducting quarterly or mid-year performance reviews is a great practice. It is key to follow your reviews up with individual development plans so you can improve those weaknesses and build on strengths.
All the training courses and succession planning in the world won’t make a difference if your employees aren’t personally aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. That is why it is incredibly important to encourage introspection.
Self-evaluations don’t just help your employees realize their own strengths and weaknesses but also help leaders see whether the employee is willing to grow and develop. It helps the reviewers see where the reviewees truly see themselves.
360-degree feedback includes all the relevant parties an employee interacts with, in the feedback process. It is by far the most effective way to get a holistic, complete view of the individual. Feedback from peers, direct reports, supervisors, as well as external parties, can truly help identify an employee's strengths as well as that employee's areas of improvement.
While all of these processes may seem time-consuming and difficult, you can streamline and automate all of them by simply using the right digital tools.
If you are using Microsoft Teams or Outlook for example as your main communication and collaboration platforms, then you can go through all the processes listed above with ease using Teamflect. Teamflect is an all-in-one performance management solution that lets you not only conduct performance evaluations inside Teams and Outlook but also offers.
And so much more right inside its Microsoft Teams. Curious? You can learn more about Teamflect for by taking a simple interactive tour below!
If there is one thing we believe in the Teamflect blog it is bringing a positive attitude with us no matter what. We hate to dwell on the negative side of a conversation.
Identifying employee weaknesses follows the exact same methodology as identifying employee strengths. Conducting regular performance reviews, encouraging self-appraisals, and practicing 360-degree feedback are all vital in recognizing employee weaknesses in the workplace.
That being said, determining areas of improvement in your employees requires a far gentler hand. Gathering 360-degree feedback on an employee's weaker qualities can very easily escalate into an unwanted situation.
Beyond just productivity, work related strengths help employees feel confident and empowered. When people lean into what they’re good at, they’re more engaged, motivated, and likely to deliver their best work.
Also, a team with diverse staff strengths can tackle challenges from multiple angles, blending perspectives to find better solutions. For example, a detail-oriented employee might pair perfectly with a big-picture thinker, while someone skilled in time management keeps the whole team on track.
Ultimately, recognizing and leveraging strengths of an employee isn’t just about making the organization more efficient, it’s about building a company culture of empowerment, respect, and growth. It’s a reminder that when people feel confident in what they do, they don’t just succeed individually they elevate the entire team.
Developing your strengths at work doesn’t just happen, it’s something that you actively work on. The great news is that building on what you’re already good at makes your job more rewarding and help you grow both personally and professionally.
Identify your strengths: First things first, figure out what you’re naturally good at. Think about the tasks you enjoy, the ones you excel at, or the feedback you’ve received from colleagues and managers.
Set goals: Once you know your strengths, think about how you can use them more effectively. Are there new projects you can take on that align with your skills? Can you refine your strengths to take them to the next level? Setting specific goals will give you something to work toward.
Look for opportunities: Look for ways to put your strengths into action, like volunteering for challenging tasks, joining a team where your strengths can shine, or asking for projects that stretch your abilities. The more you use your strengths, the more you refine them.
Learn from others: Surround yourself with people who inspire you. If there’s someone you admire for their creativity, communication, or problem-solving skills, observe what they do and learn from their approach.
Invest in training and development: Never underestimate the power of learning. Whether it’s a workshop, online course, or even a book, seek out resources that can help you enhance your skills.
Get feedback: Regular feedback helps you understand how your strengths are making an impact and where there’s room for improvement. Don’t be afraid to ask your manager or teammates for 360-degree feedback!
Focusing on developing employee strengths brings measurable benefits to the entire organization. When employees grow and refine their natural talents, their work becomes more efficient and impactful, which directly contributes to the success of the organization.
First, when employees can play to their strengths, they’re more confident and efficient in their roles. They get more done, with better results, because they’re focused on what they’re naturally good at. Building on strengths also enhances collaboration. Teams become more effective when everyone is working in areas where they excel. Rather than wasting time figuring out tasks that don’t align with their abilities, employees can focus on what they do best.
Encouraging the development of strengths also drives innovation. Confident employees are more likely to think outside the box, propose new ideas, and take calculated risks. When employees are empowered to use their best skills in creative ways, they help the organization stay agile.
Developing employee strengths fuels higher performance, sparks innovation, and paves the way for long-term success!
Identifying employee strengths and weaknesses is a key aspect of the recruitment process. In fact, one of the most important strengths a member of the people and culture team should possess is the ability to identify potential employee strengths and weaknesses.
Some of the most important employee strengths to look for in job interviews include but aren't limited to:
Problem-Solving Ability: Seek candidates who demonstrate an aptitude for analyzing issues and developing effective solutions.
Adaptability: Look for individuals who show they can thrive in changing environments and adjust to new challenges.
Communication Skills: Effective communicators are vital for most roles. Assess their ability to articulate thoughts clearly and listen actively.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Candidates who can work well in teams are essential for a collaborative workplace.
Leadership Potential: Even for non-leadership roles, the ability to take initiative and inspire others is valuable. The candidate you are interviewing may end up having leadership roles in the future after all.
While the examples above are there to provide you with a good sense of what you should be looking for in your team, they don't mean a lot if you aren't acting on them. While there are many things you can do to negate your employees's weaknesses and build on their strengths, we wanted to highlight three of the more surefire methods that will get you there.
1. Provide Continuous & Constructive Feedback
We can't stress enough the importance of continuous feedback in your organization. While telling someone to "Give more positive feedback." is a piece of rather common sense advice, common sense is pretty accurate in this case.
Giving timely and constructive feedback is one of the strongest tools you have in your arsenal whenever you are dealing with employee strengths and weaknesses.
2. Create Individual Development Plans
After every piece of strong feedback or performance appraisal, there is often a lull in the action. A silent, profound moment. That is what we in human resources love to call the "Now what?" moment. Any sort of criticism or feedback loses its meaning if it can't survive the "Now what?" moment.
Creating individual development plans is the best way to get through it. Set developmental goals, and make sure your employee updates them regularly.
Setting goals and objectives that aren't about the company but instead are related to your employee's personal and professional growth is one of the best employee engagement tools out there!
Here is a helpful template you can use when you're creating individual development plans:
Free Individual Development Plan Template
3. Invest in Training Opportunities
When leading a team one of the most important realizations that you need to come to is that you don't have all the answers. Fear not! There are a lot of people out there who do! And those people sell those answers in the form of training programs!
Investing in your people is never a wrong idea and investing in their growth and development is one of the best things you can do when focusing on employee strengths and weaknesses.
Even if you're not spending the big bucks on external training programs, regular coaching and mentoring sessions just might do the trick.
Every employee faces areas where improvement is needed, but with the right guidance, these challenges become opportunities for development. The first step is recognizing and acknowledging weaknesses. Open conversations allow employees to express their struggles in a supportive environment, helping everyone understand the root cause and set a plan for improvement.
Constructive feedback is essential in this process. Giving clear, actionable advice helps employees address weaknesses while framing the feedback in a way that promotes growth. Pairing feedback with small, achievable goals lets employees work through challenges step by step, celebrating progress along the way.
Offering training and development opportunities also plays an important role, as weaknesses often stem from a lack of knowledge or experience. Providing resources, like workshops or courses, gives employees the tools to develop the necessary skills.
Turning weaknesses into strengths is an ongoing journey that requires consistent support and feedback. With the right tools and support, employees turn their weaknesses into strengths, which benefits both their development and the organization’s growth.
We can't end this discussion without giving you a crucial warning. A conversation focusing on employee strengths and weaknesses can often involuntarily lead to a place where you may suddenly find yourself talking about your teammates as if they are mere resources in a team. And there is a reason people switched to using the term people and culture.
When discussing employee strengths and weaknesses, you must always keep in mind that these weaknesses or strengths in the workplace don't define who your employees are and that they are complex individuals. We may not need to remind you of this but we've read enough stories on toxic workplaces to know that there are such cases out there.
We would also like to reiterate that the best feedback, performance review, and overall performance management software for Microsoft Teams, Teamflect, is yours to try completely for FREE! No time limits or signing up required! To learn more you can schedule a free demo using the button below!
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