Using Character Strengths at Work

"The great organization must not only accommodate the fact that each employee

is different, it must capitalize on these differences. It must watch for

clues to each employee's natural talents and then position and develop each

employee so that his or her talents are transformed into bona fide

strengths. "   Buckingham & Clifton in Now, Discover Your Strengths.

Click Here to Register for the Positive Psychology and Coaching Telecourse.  Prerequisites:  Completion of Coaching Skills and Practice Development; and Intermediate Coaching Skills.

1. BRIEF OVERVIEW of the VIA and Classification of Strengths and Virtues.

Seligman and Peterson (2004) APA & Oxford Press.

2. DEFINITIONS OF A STRENGTH

a) Gallup - combination of talents and skills.

b)Seligman, Peterson - a trait that contributes and fulfills the good life

for oneself and for others. Strengths are ends not means. It's difficult to

be jealous of another's character strengths. Strengths can't be squandered.

3. CRITERIA FOR SIGNATURE STRENGTHS (SELIGMAN & PETERSON)

Ownership - is it authentic

Excitement when using it

Rapid learning - overlap with Gallup

Find new ways to use

Yearning to use it

Inevitability - hard to keep from using it

Feel invigorated and energized when using it

Most people feel "ownership" of 2 to 4 of their listed top 5

Good character can be built and cultivated, but we need conceptual and

empirical tools to build interventions on. To do so, we need a common

vocabulary and clear understanding - Seligman and Peterson

3. USING THE VIA STRENGTHS INVENTORY IN COACHING

Suggestions included as a an initial measure at onset of coaching

relationship, as a way to talk about and focus on strengths, to help clients

realize that they are so fluent and skilled at using some of these strengths

that they do so naturally and may have previously had little awareness of

using them.

4. STRENGTHS THAT ARE MOST HIGHLY CORRELATED WITH OVERALL LIFE SATISFACTION

1. Capacity to Love and be Loved (valuing close relationships)

2. Curiosity (interest, novelty seeking, openness to experience)

3. Zest for Life (vitality, enthusiasm, vigor, energy)

4. Gratitude (awareness and thankfulness of good things)

5. Hope (optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation)

5. The Virtues

1. Wisdom and Knowledge

2. Courage

3. Humanity

4. Justice

5. Temperance

6. Transcendence

6. The Strengths associated with each of the virtues

1. Wisdom and Knowledge - Cognitive Strengths

- Creativity

- Curiosity

- Open-mindedness

- Love of learning

- Perspective/wisdom

2. Courage - Strengths of Will in the Face of Opposition

- Bravery

- Persistence

- Integrity

- Vitality

3. Humanity - Interpersonal Strengths

- Love

- Kindness

- Social Intelligence

4. Justice - Civic Strengths

- Citizenship

- Fairness

- Leadership

5. Temperance - Strengths that Protect Against Excess

- Forgiveness/mercy

- Modesty/Humility

- Prudence

- Self-regulation

6. Transcendence - Strengths that Forge Connections to Meaning

- Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

- Gratitude

- Hope

- Humor

- Spirituality