VIA Signature Strengths

Research suggests that workplaces that recognize employees' strengths and support them in using these strengths at work gain advantages in areas such as turnover, customer satisfaction, productivity, and profitability!

The VIA (Values In Action) Signature Strengths sit right at the core of who we are as a person, regardless of the context we find ourselves in. They are character strengths.

Using what psychologist Martin Seligman calls our signature strengths in all domains of our life enhances our degree of happiness and fulfillment. These strengths are our best resources for high level performance and using them at work contributes to an experience of flow and engagement, which in turn contributes to a sense of well-being.

"Herein is my formulation of the good life: using your signature strengths everyday in the main realms of your life to bring abundant gratification and authentic happiness." - Martin Seligman

Knowing yourself includes knowing your strengths individually, as well as developing a sense of how your strengths work in combination with one another and with other aspects of you - e.g. your specialized knowledge, context-specific competencies, your values, and what is meaningful to you.

Knowing your signature strengths (strengths that sit at the core of who you are) can also help you get clearer on your calling, or help you find your sense of purpose. Our top strengths (we're not good at everything) are the key to our "best contribution" to others, personally and professionally.

About VIA Classification and Character Strengths

There are 24 signature strengths as described in Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman (Oxford University Press, 2004).

These 24 strengths are assessed in the VIA Strengths survey, accessible through www.authentichappiness.org Taking the survey (allow yourself about 45 minutes) will provide you with feedback on your top five strengths, as measured by the instrument.

Review the 24 Signature Strengths.

Questions about Signature Strengths, contact us.