Appreciation of beauty and excellence: the strengths advantage
Appreciation of beauty and excellence is about noticing and valuing the good around us; whether in nature, skill, or moral action
For product and transformation leaders, it’s the strength that elevates standards, inspires teams, and sustains motivation by recognising excellence in all its forms
At the senior Head of, Director, General Manager, and C-Suite levels, appreciation of beauty and excellence emerges as a leadership quality that underscores balance and perspective. Our world needs leaders who can see and celebrate what is exceptional, even under pressure
Examples of underuse. A Head of Product who overlooks appreciation may overlook the craftsmanship of a well designed solution, missing the opportunity to inspire pride in their team. A General Manager in Technology who fails to recognise excellence in delivery risks disengagement, as their team feel their efforts go unnoticed
Examples of optimal use. A Director in Transformation who applies appreciation well might spotlight the precision and creativity of a team’s prototype during a showcase, reinforcing the beauty and elegance of the solution and motivating further innovation in design. A CEO who values excellence might celebrate the moral courage of their leaders who uphold their values even whilst under pressure. This would signal integrity, strengthening culture, and inspiring confidence across the organisation whilst communicating that they do things right, even when it’s hard
Examples of overuse. Appreciation of beauty and excellence taken too far can become a distraction. A Head of Engineering who fixates on aesthetic perfection may delay delivery timelines. A Chief Financial Officer who over celebrates excellence without balancing accountability risks creating complacency, weakening performance outcomes
The sweet spot is appreciation of beauty and excellence that inspires without derailing focus. Product and transformation leaders who use this strength well elevate standards, energise teams, and embed a culture where excellence is noticed and valued
Research shows that leaders who know, apply, and maximise their strengths experience higher resilience, stronger influence, and improved performance outcomes. Appreciation of beauty and excellence is just one of the 24 strengths that we explore in The Strengths Advantage
The Strengths Advantage
Book your team into the half-day workshop to recognise and inspire beauty and excellence in their work, or choose the 90-minute 1:1 leader session to sharpen your eye when you look for beauty and excellence in your everyday!