Each of us has unique strengths and virtues that define our character and contribute to our well-being. They are the basis of our personality, help us overcome difficulties and achieve goals. But what are these strengths and how can we use them to improve the quality of our lives?
We examine the VIA classification of character strengths, developed by psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, which describes 24 strengths divided into six classes of virtues. This will allow us to better understand what strengths we have and how we can develop and use them to achieve personal and professional growth.
What are character strengths?
Character strengths are the main features of our personality that manifest in our thoughts, feelings and actions. They are our natural abilities or talents that we can use to achieve our goals and improve the quality of our lives.
Character strengths are not just positive traits or skills. They are deeply rooted in our personality and are part of our "I". They define who we are and play a key role in how we behave and interact with the world around us.
Character strengths can manifest in different forms and contexts. For example, one person may show a strong side of "curiosity" due to his passion for learning and constant desire to learn new things. Another person may show a strong side of "bravery" through a willingness to take risks and overcome obstacles.
Understanding your character strengths can help you better understand yourself and your needs. It helps us choose the right path in life that matches our strengths and virtues. It also helps improve relationships by respecting and appreciating other people's strengths.
Character strengths and values
Character strengths and values are closely related, but they are not the same thing. Character strengths are our inner qualities that manifest in our actions and behavior. These are our natural abilities or talents that we use to achieve our goals and improve the quality of our lives.
Values are beliefs or ideals that we believe to be important or valuable. They are guiding principles that guide our behavior and help us make decisions. For example, if we value honesty, we are more likely to try to be honest in our relationships with other people.
While character strengths reflect our abilities, values reflect our beliefs. Together, they define our character and how we interact with the world around us. Understanding and using your strengths and values helps you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Theory of character strengths
The theory of character strengths was developed by psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman as part of their research in the field of positive psychology. Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the positive aspects of the human experience, such as happiness, well-being, and character strengths.
Peterson and Seligman developed the VIA (Values in Action) classification to systematize and describe character strengths. This classification was the result of a three-year project involving 55 scientists from around the world. They studied different cultures and philosophical traditions to identify universal strengths and virtues valued in all societies.
The VIA classification includes six virtues, which are further divided into 24 character strengths. The goal of the VIA classification was to provide people with tools to understand and develop their strengths. Peterson and Seligman believed that using and developing strengths would help us achieve greater well-being and satisfaction in life.
VIA classification: 6 virtues and 24 character strengths
1. Wisdom and Knowledge
This class of virtues refers to cognitive strengths, which include the acquisition and use of knowledge.
- Creativity. Ability to come up with new and original ideas and solutions.
- Curiosity. Interest and openness to the world around us.
- Critical thinking or open mind. Ability to think flexibly and be open to new ideas.
- Love for learning. The desire to learn and learn new things throughout life.
- The ability to see things in perspective. Ability to see the big picture and understand different points of view.
2. Courage
Includes strengths of willpower to achieve goals and countermeasures, external or internal.
- Courage. Willingness to stand up for one's beliefs, even if it is unpopular and scary.
- Persistence. Ability to work diligently and complete tasks started despite obstacles.
- Honesty. Be sincere in your thoughts and actions.
- Energy. The ability to act actively and decisively.
3. Humanity
Includes strengths in caring for and interacting with others.
- Love. The ability to establish close relationships with others and value closeness with them.
- Kindness. Willingness to be kind and generous to others.
- Social (emotional) intelligence. The ability to understand, feel and respond adequately to the emotions and behavior of others.
4. Justice
Includes strengths that manifest in social life.
- Team work. Ability to work effectively as part of a group or community.
- Justice. The ability to be fair and impartial, to give everyone what they deserve.
- leadership Willingness to organize and lead others to a common goal.
5. Moderation
Includes strengths that protect against excess.
- Self control. The ability to control one's feelings and behavior, to avoid extremes.
- Prudence. The ability to be moderate and avoid extravagance.
- Modesty, humility. The desire not to exaggerate one's achievements and not seek attention.
6. Transcendence
It includes the strengths that connect us to the larger world and give meaning to life.
- Thank you The ability to be grateful for what we have.
- Hope. Optimism and confidence in the future.
- Humor. The ability to laugh and bring joy to others.
- Spirituality. Strong beliefs about a higher meaning and purpose of life.
Each of us has a unique combination of strengths. They define our character and how we interact with the world around us.
Why should we know about our character strengths?
- Understand yourself better. When we know our strengths, we better understand what motivates us and what we like. It helps us make choices that are right for us.
- Feel happier. People who use their strengths often feel happier. They suffer less from stress and rarely suffer from depression.
- Achieve goals. If we use our strengths, we can do better at work or school. It helps us achieve our goals.
- Improve relationships. Knowing our strengths and the strengths of other people helps us live better with others. We begin to value others more and our relationships become warmer and closer.
- Become stronger. Our strengths help us overcome difficulties. When we know we have these strengths, we can use them to overcome obstacles in our path.
How to find out your strengths
Evaluate yourself
Think about the moments when you felt most successful or happy. What strengths did you display in these moments? This can help you identify what strengths you already have.
Ask others
Ask people who know you well what strengths they see in you. This can be very helpful because sometimes other people see things in us that we don't see ourselves.
How to develop your strengths
Once you know your strengths, try to use them as often as possible. It can help you improve your skills and increase your life satisfaction. In the individual complete decoding of strengths, you will be able to find actions and tips for each strength, how to develop it and use it correctly.
It is important to remember that all strengths are good in moderation. For example, if you are very inquisitive, it is also important to be able to focus and finish the tasks you start, rather than jumping from one thing to another. Therefore, strive for balance in your strengths.
Strengths in education, therapy and personal development
Education
Character strengths play a role in the educational process. Students who know their strengths can use them to improve their study skills and achieve academic goals. For example, a student with a “curiosity” strength can use it to explore new topics and ideas. Teachers can also use knowledge of student strengths to create more effective and motivating curriculum. Knowing your strengths can help you decide on your future profession.
Therapy
In psychotherapy, character strengths can be a valuable tool. Instead of focusing only on the client's problems and weaknesses, professionals can help clients learn and use their strengths to overcome difficulties. This will improve clients' self-esteem and increase their motivation to change.
Personal development
Character strengths play a key role in personal development. They help you better understand yourself, your values and what inspires you. We can use our strengths to achieve our goals and build a life that aligns with our values and interests.
Strengths in business, at work, in career
Business
In business, character strengths can be a powerful tool for improving productivity and efficiency. Leaders and managers can use knowledge of their employees' strengths to create stronger, more balanced teams. For example, a person with a “strategic thinking” strength can be a valuable asset in planning and decision-making.
At work
In the workplace, strengths can help employees be more satisfied and productive. Employees who use their strengths at work often feel more motivated and engaged in their work. This can lead to improved productivity and job satisfaction.
Career
In the context of career development, strengths can help people choose careers that match their interests and skills. Knowing their strengths can help people determine what types of work they can do most effectively and in which areas they can be most successful.
Conclusion
Character strengths are what make us unique and help us succeed in life. They can help us understand ourselves better, improve our relationships, achieve our goals, and become happier. Understanding and using our strengths is an important step towards personal growth and self-development. We hope this article has helped you better understand what character strengths are and how you can learn and develop them.
Full breakdown of VIA's strengths results
The Complete Strengths Score Breakdown is a detailed report that provides an in-depth understanding of your strengths. It includes a description of each of your strengths, examples of how they can manifest in your everyday life, and advice on how you can develop them further, and which careers are right for you.
This report can give you valuable insights into how you can use your strengths to achieve your goals, improve your relationships, and increase your life satisfaction.
- Mriya.run: Space for Conscious Change. Learning, Practice & Tools
- Tools & Resources
- VIA Signature Strengths: a path to personal growth and well-being