Values in Action Strengths – A Positive View of Core Strengths

Values in Action Strengths

Values in Action (VIA) strengths are a concept that was developed by psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, in line with wider work they have done on thriving and positive psychology in general.

The VIA framework suggests that there are a total of 24 human “character strengths”. These are somewhat different to what someone might say if you just asked them to list their strengths. Instead of being capability type strengths, they reflect positive human traits and ways of being to us.

These 24 strengths are grouped into six “virtures” which, again, feel quite like high-level ways of being or values. The overall goal of this piece of work is to categorise and highlight positive human qualities that contribute to human flourishing and well-being.

Strengths and Virtues

As per the above diagram, the 24 strengths identified by Seligman and Peterson are grouped into six virtues: Wisdom, Humanity, Justice, Courage, Temperance and Transcendence. A bit more about each is below:

Wisdom

Cognitive strengths that involve the acquisition and use of knowledge.

Strengths within Wisdom include: creativity, curiosity, judgment, love of learning, and perspective.

Humanity

Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others. 

Strengths within Humanity include: love, kindness, and social intelligence.

Justice

Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life. 

Strengths within Justice include: teamwork, fairness, and leadership.

Courage

Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition.

Strengths within Courage include: bravery, perseverance, honesty, and zest.

Temperance

Strengths that protect against excess.

Strengths within temperance include: forgiveness, humility, prudence, and self-regulation.

Transcendence

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

Strengths within Transcendence include: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality.

How does this stuff help us?

Developing an understanding of which of the Virtues and Stengths are more important to us, of feel more like they really are part of who we are can help us makes changes in our lives so that we use them more. If we make changes so that we use our VIA strengths more, then we tend to be more engaged in what we do, achieve more and have higher levels of self-esteem, resilience and overall wellbeing.

VIA strengths are not only helpful in an individual capacity. They’re also helpful to understand as a leader or manager. If you can help to shape, design and deligate work in such a way that it plays to the character strengths of individuals in your team, then you will probably see higher levels of job satisfaction, productivity, wellbeing and retention, as well as improved group dynamics.

To develop our strengths and our connection with our strengths often involves self-reflection, awareness, and intentional practice, though coaching and line-manager conversations can really help as well. Individuals can take the VIA Survey, a scientifically validated tool, to identify their top strengths. Once identified, these strengths can be integrated into daily life through goal setting, mindfulness practices, and positive interventions, leading to enhanced life satisfaction and well-being. You know, all those easier-said-than-done behaviour change tools!

The evidence base

The VIA strengths framework is supported by a substantial body of empirical evidence demonstrating its validity and practical benefits.

Numerous studies have validated the VIA Inventory of Strengths as a psychometric tool, and numerous studies have validated the association with wellbeing, educational impacts, workplace benefits and therapeutic applications.

There are lots of things you can read on this topic. The University of Pennsylvania Authentic Happiness Test Centre (what a mouthful) is a great resource with access to lots of tools including a free version of the VIA strengths assessment. The VIA Institute on Character also has some great tools and resources.

Improving self-awareness is clearly related to this topic, as are things like our career drivers, career anchors, career narratives and the concept of Ikigai.

On the flip-side of all of this, it’s worth considering the late David Graeber’s concept of Bullshit Jobs as well. It seems to often be the case that some really well-paid jobs are soul-sucking.

To actualy change some of our lives to better embrace our VIA strengths, we benefit from exploring personal behaviour change, concepts like goal-setting and WOOPing and Job Crafting.

You might also enjoy our podcast on job crafting with the excellent Rob Baker of Tailored Thinking:

It’s all about finding out who you are and what make you tick and leaning into that, right?

VIA strengths fit very well with our sense of how things work in the world and in the workplace. Being able to flex our approach to work to be more of who we want to be in work and to use these strengths is an excellent thing to do, and we very much enjoy talking about factors like this with clients and organizations. We’ve seen some great outcomes for people as well once they explore what matters to them and make changes to their work as a result.

Of course, we know it’s a bit of a privilege to be able to actually do some of this stuff. Not everyone is in a position of being able to take the time to do the reflection associated with this work, much less the opportunity to flex what they actually do.

And, of course, many people also work with kind of crappy organizations and leaders and managers who don’t appreciate the benefits of helping others lean into their strengths.

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to explore and embrace your VIA strenghts, we very much think it’s worth while doing so.

Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.

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