Are you ready to power up your personal brand and stand out from the competition? Here’s an often overlooked, hidden-in-plain-sight way to take your brand to the next level. It's time to dive deep into your skill set and uncover your “sub-strengths.”

Now, you might be wondering, "What on earth is a sub-strength?" Don't worry; I've got you covered. In this article, I'll explain what sub-strengths are, how they differ from regular strengths, and why identifying your sub-strengths is crucial for building an unstoppable personal brand.

Understanding Sub-Strengths: The Hidden Gems within Your Personal Brand

We all know about strengths - those standout abilities and qualities that make us shine. But what about sub-strengths? Think of them as the slightly hidden yet incredibly valuable skills and attributes within your skill set. While strengths are the stars of the show, sub-strengths play vital supporting and specifying roles. They enhance your strengths and provide unique perspectives and added value.

Let's say one of your strengths is public speaking. You're confident on stage, captivating your audience with your words. But what if your sub-strength is humor? That ability to infuse humor into your presentations can make you unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression on your audience. It's these sub-strengths that make you truly distinctive and help you build an authentic personal brand.

Differentiating Strengths from Sub-Strengths: Why It Matters

You might be thinking, "Okay, I get the gist of sub-strengths, but what makes them different from regular strengths?" Great question! While strengths are broader, more general abilities, sub-strengths are specialized skills or qualities that complement and enhance your strengths.

Think of strengths as the foundation of your personal brand. They represent your core competencies, the skills you excel at and enjoy using. Sub-strengths, on the other hand, are like the glittery toppings on a delicious sundae - they add that extra flavor, that extra something that makes your brand irresistible.

The key to unlocking the power of your sub-strengths lies in understanding the unique combination of skills and qualities that make you stand out from the crowd. By identifying and harnessing your sub-strengths, you'll create an exceptional personal brand that sets you apart and attracts the right opportunities.

Here’s another example to further illuminate the point…

My cousin, Ciara, is a fashion and style queen. She always knows how to put an outfit together using trends that many of us common folk don’t even realize are a “thing.” However, fashion influencership is a pretty crowded market. So, I encouraged Ciara to lean into a sub-strength of her overall larger “style strength.” While Ciara is incredible at fashion, she is masterclass at reselling pieces for the highest dollar. She also knows how to utilize loyalty points, sales, and under-the-radar stores to get a killer wardrobe for a fraction of designer prices.

She has helped me understand how to buy quality, gently used pieces, and she’s helped me sell some of my old pieces for top-dollar. Every time I hear a “cha-ching” on my Poshmark clothing reseller app, I think of her. So, if she really wanted to make a name for herself in the fashion and lifestyle face, she could use this sub-strength like a spear tip, puncturing the noisy, crowded space.

This is very similar to what the well-known blog “The Points Guy” did. Instead of trying to compete in the noisy space of personal finance, his sole brand became dedicated to his unique finance sub-strength of maximizing credit card points for the best trips, cash back, incentives, and more.

Are you starting to see the picture? Are you starting to think about your unique sub-strength?

How to Identify Your Sub-Strengths: Unleash Your Inner Superpower

Now that you know what sub-strengths are and why they're essential, let's dive into the exciting part: identifying your own sub-strengths. Get ready to unleash your inner superpower!

1. Reflect on your strengths: Start by making a list of your core strengths. These are the skills that come naturally to you, the ones you excel at without too much effort. Reflect on how these strengths intersect with your areas of expertise and passion.

2. Seek feedback from others: Sometimes, we're blind to our own greatness. Reach out to colleagues, friends, and mentors who know you well and ask for their honest feedback. What do they see as your standout qualities or skills? Their insights might surprise you and uncover hidden sub-strengths you never realized you had. 

3. Notice what feels effortless: Pay close attention to activities and tasks that feel effortless and energizing for you. What is it about these activities that make them so enjoyable? Often, our sub-strengths lie within these effortless endeavors.

4. Embrace curiosity and experimentation: Be open to trying new things and exploring different areas. Sometimes, we discover our sub-strengths through unexpected experiences. Step out of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. You never know what hidden gems you'll uncover.

5. Analyze successful moments: Think about the times when you achieved great results or received positive feedback. What specific skills or qualities contributed to those successes? These moments can provide valuable clues to your unique sub-strengths.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to identifying your sub-strengths and unlocking their potential within your personal brand.

The Power of Sub-Strengths: Fuel Your Personal Brand's Success

Now that you've unearthed your sub-strengths, it's time to harness their power and turbocharge your personal brand. Here are 4 ways to use those newly identified sub-strengths:

1. Enhance your strengths: Your sub-strengths complement and amplify your core strengths. They add depth and nuance, making you stand out from the competition. Let's go back to the public speaking example. If your sub-strength is humor, infuse your presentations with your unique sense of wit. Your audience will remember you as the engaging speaker who made them laugh while delivering valuable insights.

2. Build a niche around your sub-strengths: Identifying and highlighting your sub-strengths allows you to carve out a specialized niche within your industry or field. When people think of someone who excels in your particular area, your name should come to mind immediately. This niche expertise will help you attract the right opportunities, whether it's speaking engagements, collaborations, or clients who value your unique perspective.

3. Stand out in your niche market: Identifying and leveraging your sub-strengths sets helps set you apart from others and also helps give your own unique spin to your brand tone and voice. Your personal brand becomes a beacon that attracts like-minded individuals and opportunities aligned with your expertise. Instead of blending in, you become a shining star that draws attention and admiration.

4. Build credibility and trust: Your sub-strengths showcase your expertise and authenticity, helping you build credibility and trust within your industry. When you consistently deliver value through your specialized skills, people start recognizing you as an authority in your field. As a result, they'll seek you out for advice, collaboration, or partnership opportunities.

Unleash Your Sub-Strengths Along With Your Personal Brand

By identifying your sub-strengths, you've uncovered the secret sauce that will elevate your personal brand to new heights. Your sub-strengths complement your strengths, allowing you to create a unique brand that resonates with your target audience. Through deliberate focus and showcasing your sub-strengths, you'll establish yourself as an authority, attract exciting opportunities, and build a personal brand that truly stands out. So, don't hide those sub-strengths any longer. Embrace them, leverage them, and let them shine brightly within your personal brand. Remember, you are a force to be reckoned with - your sub-strengths are proof of that.

The Recap:

1. Sub-strengths are specialized skills that complement your primary strengths.
2. They differentiate you from others and add value to your personal brand.
3. Reflect, seek feedback, and explore to identify your sub-strengths.
4. Leverage sub-strengths to enhance your core strengths and build a niche.
5. Showcase sub-strengths to stand out, build credibility, and attract opportunities.