The VIA Character Strengths is a quick (about 15 min) assessment that reveals to us a set of positive traits that reflect who we really are. There are 24 globally recognized and valued strengths that represent 6 virtues. Each strength describes a different way to express its virtue. The assessment tells us where we are strongest (Signature Strengths) to our weaker strengths (Lower Strengths). Signature Strengths are given greater importance as they represent our innate skills and values. Knowing our strengths and using them well has been associated with higher levels of well-being in the workplace, school, and in our relationships.
The assessment tells us where we are strongest (Signature Strengths) to our weaker strengths (Lower Strengths).
Below are a few practical ways students can put their Character Strengths to use:
1. Choosing a path that aligns with our most authentic self
There are many different pathways to take after high school. Even the traditional route of going straight to university is littered with decisions for students to make; do I want to study in the US, the UK, Asia, the Middle East? Do I want to live at home, off campus, on-campus? Do I want a roommate? Should I be applying to a Liberal Arts University or a Research University? Urban or Rural? The answers to these questions require self-awareness. Awareness of our strengths, our top strengths, even our weakest strengths, guides us into pursuing paths that align with our most authentic self. Knowing what we’re good at, practising these strengths, and learning how to use them in different contexts helps us discern which path will enhance these qualities and help them grow.
A lot of the time we end up putting ourselves in environments that limit our growth simply because we are not aware of our strengths. We must not underestimate the value and influence of our environment— culture, customs, people, attitudes and expectations. These do not define who we become but they do have influence and so we must choose the company and the places that best fit the version of ourselves we most want to be.
Our character strengths, and our Signature Strengths specifically, help us in figuring out what that version is.
2. Forming Sustainable Study Habits
Knowing our strengths allows us to integrate them into our study habits in ways that are unique to our learning style. If one of my Signature strengths is Curiosity, I can look for different things in each of my subjects that sparks my interest – that way I’ll be able to stay engaged in a way that’s unique to me. If Creativity is a top strength, I can explore different study methods like creating visual aids, making charts and diagrams, and videos. If I have Leadership as a top Signature Strength, I can benefit from organizing study groups; in this way I’ll be able to help myself whilst also helping others.
Whatever our top 5 Signature Strengths, learning to develop them and incorporate them into our work habits will encourage us to study, ease our study process, and allow us to engage with our subjects.
3. Choosing Extra-Curriculars
Our Character Strengths can play a pivotal role in helping us realize which extra-curricular activities to take part in. Our Signature Strengths, specifically, can guide us towards the activities we will most likely enjoy, commit to, and be good at. Extra-curricular activities are a great way for students to experience different parts of themselves apart from the pressures of academics. When it comes to college admissions, participation and commitment to extra-curricular activities enriches a student’s profile. Signature Strengths give students the opportunity to discover hidden interests when deciding what activities to become involved in. If Humor is a top Signature Strength of mine, I might consider joining the drama club, starting an improv club, or joining another performative activity. If Love of Learning is in my top 5 strengths, I might think about tutoring or mentoring younger kids. With Critical Thinking or Curiosity as a top strength, I might think about the debate team. These are only suggestions, and students may even be encouraged to start their own activity knowing they have the skill to make it happen.
4. Improving our Relationships
Strength spotting can also help us better understand the people in our lives that we don’t normally get along with.
Strength Spotting is the habit of looking for strengths in others around us. It is a proven strategy for bettering our relationships. Understanding the strengths of the people in our lives brings us closer to them by guiding us on how best to interact with them. Encouraging ourselves to see the strengths in those closest to us is a great way to express our appreciation for the people in our lives, which in turn benefits the relationship as a whole.
Strength spotting can also help us better understand the people in our lives that we don’t normally get along with. By focusing on their strengths rather than solely on their weaknesses – or what bothers us — we can begin to understand and build empathy for them. Recognizing that our friend that seems to dig into the details of everything may have a strength of Curiosity, can help us empathize rather than become antagonized by thinking they’re just being nosy. This understanding can also help us understand how to relate to this friend more.
Additionally, paying attention to what their strengths might be gives us a window into how to better interact with them in ways that can be beneficial for both of us. It can even shed light on why the both of us might clash at times– perhaps two of our top strengths are colliding! In the following article, best-selling author and workplace well-being instructor, Michelle McQuaid details her experience using Strength Spotting to better her relationship with a difficult boss.
5. Setting Goals
The following specific strengths have been inherently linked with Setting Goals. Identifying where these strengths fall on our own strength sheet and learning how to leverage them will help us in coming up with ways to set goals that are more aligned with who we are, and therefore goals that we are more likely to commit to and achieve.
a. Hope helps us envision something that aligns with our interests, values, or our top strengths. A goal that is aligned with our authentic self.
b. Prudence helps us plan out the steps necessary to achieve our goals. It helps us stop and think about which risks are necessary, which are not.
Practising our strength of Prudence helps regulate our temperament and act purposefully. Using the SMART acronym is a useful exercise to plan our goals:
1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Attainable
4. Relevant
5. Time-Bound
c. Perseverance will help us stick to the plan we’ve set for ourself, pivot, change direction and keep going when inevitable challenges arise
d. Think about how our own Signature Strengths can help in reaching our goals
