Benefit Mindset Approach

The Benefit Mindset - Part Five:

Elevating The Strength Of Character Strengths:

This century has seen a boom in character strength-based tools.

Tools like VIA Character Strengths, Gallup Strengths Finder and Capp Strengths Profile to name a few.

What exactly are character strengths? Very simply, strengths are qualities of our character that represent moral goodness and human excellence. For example, are you a creative person? A curious person? A humorous person? A kind person?

Typically, each of us has a unique set of signature strengths that we frequently use. When exercised, they tend to energise and excite — bringing us more fully alive — and help us meet the demands of our daily lives.

Why character strengths matter

One of the main reasons strengths experts suggest we use our strengths is because it’s a pathway to full engagement and the psychological state of flow.

Characteristics of flow include being fully engaged, in the zone, total task immersion and effortless attention in the accomplishment of goals.

Exercising our character strengths has also been shown to have an elevating effect on others. Probably because strengths are examples of moral goodness and our own uniqueness. Using them is also associated with higher levels of happiness, well-being and personal growth.

Contributing from a place of purpose

“Contribution goals trump achievement goals on every level” — Kim Cameron

This is where most of today’s discussion on character strengths ends. It’s good for your success and well-being so strengths experts suggest we use them.

However, there is an important subtlety in the way we use them that is rarely talked about and in my experience, can elevate their transformative potential.

It’s why we are using our character strengths. For what purpose?

Are we using our strengths to be a success and go into states of flow — or are we using them to play a valuable role in the communities and ecosystems to which we belong?

Are we using them to win or achieve something, or are we using them to be part of something that really matters?

The courage to use strengths in a contributive way not only promotes personal engagement and well-being — but also promotes well-being on both an individual and a collective level. It fosters resilient cultures that are elevated by moral goodness.

“The purpose of life is to discover your gifts. The meaning of life is to give your gifts away” — David Viscott

It’s one thing to use our strengths for our personal growth and wellbeing, but where the strength in strengths really shines is when we infuse them with purpose. Using our strengths to express our whole, authentic selves in a way that contributes to our own well-being — and the well-being of the communities and ecosystems we belong to.