WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

Cognitive strengths that involve the acquisition and use of knowledge.

Creativity: Thinking of novel and productive ways to do things.

Curiosity: Taking an interest in ongoing experiences.

Critical thinking: Thinking about things and examining them from all sides.

Love of learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge.

Perspective: Being able to provide wise advice to others.

COURAGE

Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to achieve goals in the face of opposition, external and internal.

Honesty: Speaking the truth and presenting oneself in a genuine way.

Bravery: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain.

Perseverance: Finishing what one starts.

Enthusiasm: Approaching life with excitement and energy.

HUMANITY

Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others.

Kindness: Doing favors and good deeds for others.

Love: Valuing close relations with others.

Social intelligence: Being aware of the motives and feelings of oneself and others.

JUSTICE

Civic strengths that underpin healthy community life.

Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice.

Leadership: Organizing group activities and ensuring they happen.

Teamwork: Working well as a member of a group or team.

TEMPERANCE

Strengths that protect against excess.

Forgiveness: Forgiving those who have wronged.

Humility: Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves.

Prudence: Being careful about one’s choices; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted.

Self-regulation: Regulating what one feels and does.

TRANSCENDENCE

Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning.

Appreciation of beauty and excellence: Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life.

Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen.

Hope: Expecting the best and working to achieve it.

Humor: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people.

Spirituality: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe; seeing where one fits within the larger scheme.

Beyond the 24 character strengths observed by scholars, researchers, and practitioners, all seem to be present, to varying degrees, in all human beings. What varies from one individual to another are the signature strengths, those that are most central to the person, that best capture their uniqueness and essence. Through the application of the so-called VIA questionnaire on the internet, you can find out which ones these are. They are also more likely to be more energizing and expressed more naturally than other strengths in a person’s profile.

When people see their results on the VIA questionnaire, sometimes they feel satisfied and proud, and other times, disappointed. This is related to the level of meaning and importance they attribute to certain strengths they would like to see highlighted in their profile.

In reality, it does not matter. Each of the 24 strengths is positive and can be used for good. Each is associated with different positive outcomes in character science. Each is a capability that can be improved. Thus, every one of the 24 character strengths is relevant.

Some character strengths are more directly associated with happiness (enthusiasm and hope); others enable opportunities for achievement and goal attainment; still, others seem more connected to better physical health. Perseverance is a character strength associated with academic achievement. The character strength of gratitude has been associated with less depression and envy, generally occurring to a lesser degree in less grateful individuals. But all character strengths have significant impacts on our lives.

In a representative sample of adults in Switzerland, the strengths that promoted affiliation and commitment were among those most aligned with well-being for adults in their late 20s and early 30s; strengths supporting family maintenance and work for those in their late 30s to mid-40s; and strengths facilitating vital engagement with the environment for those in their late 40s to nearly 60.

You probably used all 24 character strengths in the last two days. For example, this morning did you brush your teeth, take a shower, get dressed, and eat breakfast? If you did any of these things, you were using some level of self-control and prudence. These are “small” uses of two strengths that are consistently the two least endorsed character strengths worldwide.

There are “big” and “small” uses of character strengths. For example, Creativity with a “Capital C” can be seen in Mozart’s Ninth Symphony, and Van Gogh’s painting Starry Night, while creativity with a “small c” can be seen when we have an insight about a personal difficulty and a new idea for arranging flowers for the kitchen table.

Below, we will give examples of uses (very small) and behaviors related to character strengths, to make them clearer.

Small everyday uses Creativity: Invent a new story to tell your child.

Curiosity: Ask questions to a neighbor.

Critical thinking: Read two very different news outlets to get different viewpoints.

Love of learning: Read three articles on the internet about the same topic.

Perspective: Offer advice to a clerk having a bad day.

Bravery: Drive to the city center even if afraid of heavy traffic.

Perseverance: Decide to reply to ten emails at once and complete the task.

Honesty: Admit a mistake upon recalling the situation inaccurately.

Enthusiasm: Take a brisk ten-minute walk during the break.

Love: Listen attentively to a colleague who had a difficult day.

Kindness: Hold the elevator for someone.

Social intelligence: Ask a family member how they are feeling when they show a distressed facial expression.

Teamwork: Ask a team member for feedback on a work project.

Fairness: When distributing sweets to neighborhood children, ensure all receive the same amount.

Leadership: Organize a gathering of friends for lunch at a restaurant.

Forgiveness: Ease the tension created when someone cuts you off in traffic.

Humility: Wait to share positive news so the other person can share their story.

Prudence: Plan a quick breakfast for two on a busy day.

Self-control: Brush teeth and use dental floss in the morning.

Appreciation of beauty and excellence: Marvel at the skill and grace of an Olympic skier on a downhill.

Gratitude: Offer a personal thank you to the universe upon waking in the morning.

Hope: Feel optimistic about an upcoming work meeting.

Humor: Smile at a stranger on public transport.

Spirituality: Feel a sense of meaning during a mindfulness practice.

Associated behaviors 1 Creativity

• Share new ideas at every team meeting.

• Easily brainstorm and offer contributions quickly and frequently.

2 Curiosity

• Frequently ask questions, especially in new conversations.

• Comment on knick-knacks, paintings, etc., when entering a new office.

3 Critical thinking

• Share a new angle or viewpoint each time an issue or problem arises.

• Disagree with a premise or main theme a colleague presents and be able to cite evidence/logic for the contrary.

4 Love of learning

• Carry a book wherever you go (or a device with a collection of digital books). Read books during breaks.

• Sign up for new subjects and courses, or attend lectures (even if you already have advanced education).

5 Perspective

• Give practical advice to people who share their problems.

• Offer comments that reflect themes on the overall vision and important matters for humanity.

6 Bravery

• Challenge conventional ideas presented by your boss.

• Speak at public forums and large meetings.

7 Perseverance

• Complete short-term and long-term projects within the expected timeframe.

• Receive special awards and honors for your achievements.

8 Honesty

• Share vulnerabilities about yourself.

• Make constructive, sometimes unfavorable comments when asked for feedback.

9 Enthusiasm

• Regularly take walks or engage in some form of physical activity during breaks.

• Spend money on experiences with people rather than products for oneself.

10 Love

• Express warmth, genuineness, and active listening with good eye contact when talking to others.

• Engage in physical touch with others (e.g., hugging, patting the back).

11 Kindness

• Go out of your way to support a colleague who had a tough week.

• Bring a coffee to a colleague, without being asked to.

12 Social intelligence

• Say the “right” thing in a meeting and most of the group agrees.

• Deal empathetically with a friend who is upset and stressed.

13 Teamwork

• Check each team member’s opinion on a project.

• When possible, choose to decide to work on a project involving discussion with others, rather than working alone.

14 Fairness

• Resolve a dispute among family members by seeking and pointing out common ground.

• Make an effort, during breaks, to include in conversation a coworker who seems to be distant or isolated.

15 Leadership

• Organize a meetup among friends for an event over the weekend.

• Share visions and ideas for others to follow and support.

16 Forgiveness

• Give a friend a second chance by saying “let’s move on” after they have offended you in some way.

• Practice meditation focusing on “letting go” to manage stress.

17 Humility

• Spend more time listening, during a conversation, than trying to express your own opinions.

• After achieving something significant, emphasize the group effort and others’ contributions.

18 Prudence

• Keep several folders and subfolders of emails and use them.

• Arrive on time or early for meetings and appointments.

19 Self-control

• Go out for a run or swim every day, which is part of your regular routine.

• Make healthy food choices, like fruits and vegetables, when dining out.

20 Appreciation of beauty and excellence

• Always have tickets for theater, concerts, or cultural events.

• Surround yourself with paintings and other artworks in the office and at home.

21 Gratitude

• Frequently say “thank you” for favors and good things said/done to you.

• Leave appreciation notes on colleagues’ desks.

22 Hope

• Talk about personal and professional goals and what you are planning.

• Change the focus of the conversation, no matter how complicated, to the positive side.

23 Humor

• Tell jokes and funny stories, and make witty comments in a group.

• Tease and play with the other in one-on-one situations.

24 Spirituality

• Display religious symbols in your home, office, and on yourself (e.g., a cross necklace).

• Spend time during breaks in quiet reflection, meditation, or contemplation.