Character strengths

Engaging with our character strengths improves our well-being and provides a sense of meaning, setting us up to perform at our best.

Moreover, leveraging these strengths can significantly increase our job satisfaction.

We all have a few core traits that really resonate with us, known as our ‘signature strengths.’ These strengths are a big part of who we are, and the more we use them, the better we feel.

To find your signature strengths, take a look at this list and highlight the ones that stand out to you the most.

Learn more

https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths-via 

https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths 

Wisdom

Those who score high in the area of wisdom tend to have character strengths that lead them to acquire knowledge and use it in creative and useful ways. The core wisdom character strengths are:

  1. Creativity: Thinking of new ways to do things
  2. Curiosity: Taking an interest in a wide variety of topics
  3. Open-mindedness: Examining things from all sides; thinking things through
  4. Love of learning: Mastering new topics, skills, and bodies of research
  5. Perspective: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; looking at the world in a way that makes sense

Courage

Strengths of courage involve applying will and fortitude in overcoming internal or external resistance to accomplish goals.

  • Honesty: Speaking the truth; being authentic and genuine
  • Bravery: Embracing challenges, difficulties, or pain; not shrinking from threat
  • Persistence: Finishing things once they are started
  • Zest: Approaching all things in life with energy and excitement

Humanity

Strengths of humanity involve caring interpersonal relationships with others, particularly in one-to-one relationships.

  • Kindness: Doing favors and good deeds
  • Love: Valuing close relations with others
  • Social intelligence: Being aware of other people’s motives and feelings

Justice

Strengths of justice refer to the optimal relationship between the individual and the group or community, rather than the more one-to-one relationships in humanity virtue.

  • Fairness: Treating all people the same
  • Leadership: Organizing group activities and making sure they happen
  • Teamwork: Working well with others as a group or a team

Temperance

Strengths of temperance protect us from excess

  • Forgiveness: Forgiving others who have wronged them
  • Modesty: Letting one’s successes and accomplishments stand on their own
  • Prudence: Avoiding doing things they might regret; making good choices
  • Self-regulation: Being disciplined; controlling one’s appetites and emotions

Transcendence

Strengths of transcendence allow people to rise above their troubles and find meaning in the larger universe.

  • Appreciation of beauty: Noticing and appreciating beauty and excellence in everything
  • Gratitude: Being thankful for the good things; taking time to express thanks
  • Hope: Expecting the best; working to make it happen; believing good things are possible
  • Humor: Making other people smile or laugh; enjoying jokes
  • Purpose: Having a solid belief about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose