Character Strengths

Why we focus on weaknesses rather than strengths?

A question that was asked in a Gallup poll  was this "If I give you a list of your strengths and a list of your weaknesses right now, which would you focus on first?"  How would you answer this question?  The researchers found that 70% of Americans would focus on their weaknesses and 30% would focus on their strengths.  

We all have the tendency to focus on our weaknesses and what is wrong with us.  Why is that?  In this excerpt from the book "Strengths Switch" by Lea Waters, Ph.D, you'll hear about our negativity bias, why we have it and why it is important to shift to a strength based lens. 

Why do we tend to focus on the negative? [1]

Old wiring. Our brains were shaped by the rigors of survival into becoming pattern detectors.  For most of our evolution, we’ve survived by quickly alerting to disruptions in the patters of daily life as clues to possible danger or to weaknesses that put us at a disadvantage. That unusual movement in the grass might be a lurking predator…  That one unsmiling face around the tribal campfire might be an enemy…  Our inability to run as fast as others might mean we’ll be left behind when fleeing danger.. and so on.  This primeval tendency to zoom in on what’s off helped us size up our chances for survival and decide whether our world might be about to turn upside-down.  

This negative bias can be hugely helpful when your life’s at stake.  But most of us don’t face such extremes.  For situations we encounter today which usually demand complex reasoning and problem solving, sophisticated cooperation and communication, reserves of persistence, or expert facility in a specific skill – the negative bias can put us at a disadvantage because it blinds us to opportunities, keeps us from seeing the larger picture, and bars access to the expansive thinking that unlocks innovation, collaboration, adaptability, growth, success and fulfillment.  

Attention on the negative helped us to survive.  

Attention on the positive helps us thrive.  

Three decades of research clearly shows the advantages of taking a strength based approach including: 

• Higher levels of academic achievement

• Greater levels of happiness at work

• Greater likelihood of staying at work

• Better work performance

• Greater likelihood of staying married and being happy in your marriage.

• Higher levels of physical fitness and of engaging in healthy behaviors (e.g., healthy eating, visiting the doctor)

• Better recovery after illness

Hopefully you're convinced about the value of learning and playing to your strengths.  Read on to learn more.

What is the science of character strengths? [2]

Character strengths are described as the capacities humans have for thinking, feeling, and behaving. Specifically, they are the psychological ingredients for displaying virtues or human goodness. VIA views each person as having a capacity for expressing any of the 24 character strengths in the VIA Classification. Some strengths are easier and more natural for the individual to express (their signature strengths), other strengths arise in particular situations where they are needed (phasic strengths), and other strengths are expressed to a lesser degree or lesser frequency (lesser strengths). 

Strengths are:

• Positive qualities that energize us, that we perform well and choose often

• Used in productive ways to contribute to our goals and development

• Built over time through our innate ability and dedicated effort

• Qualities recognized by others as praiseworthy, and they contribute positively to the lives of others.

How can I discover my personal strengths? 

Results [3]

Look at the rank order of your character strengths and go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths to learn learn more about each one.  What are your higher or signature strengths and lesser strengths?  Read this excerpt from the article "Your Strengths Provide Insight You Can’t Get Anywhere Else" by Kelly Aluise to learn about what these mean.

1. YOUR HIGHEST STRENGTHS ARE NATURAL HAPPINESS BOOSTERS

Positive psychology research refers to your top strengths as signature strengths. They are so essential to your identity they are like your fingerprint or written signature. People notice these strengths in you and it feels good for you to use them.

Since using your top strengths is crucial to your positive well-being, it’s important to have a solid understanding of how they play out in your life so you can always be looking for new opportunities to apply them.

2. LESSER STRENGTHS ARE VALUABLE AND DON’T HAVE TO STAY “LESSER”

Humans have a natural negativity bias. If you were curious about which strengths you're not as good at, you’re not alone. Actually, your curiosity is a good thing! Awareness is the first step toward change.

Lesser strengths are not weaknesses, they are qualities that don’t come as easily to you as some of the other strengths in your profile. Research shows that you can build your lesser strengths with conscious attention and deliberate practice. Is there a strength at the bottom of your list that you’d like to improve? 

3. FINDING YOUR “JUST RIGHT” CAN CHANGE THE WAY YOU APPROACH CHALLENGES

Strengths overuse and underuse is such an interesting and refreshing concept. It’s taking a negative (or neutral) behavior and reframing it. What does this mean? Here’s an example:

Could your inability to make a decision simply be an overuse of your strength of judgment? Reminder: the strength of judgment involves weighing all ideas, opinions and facts to make rational decisions. In this example, if you’re high in judgment, you could be using it too strongly to your detriment. Luckily, your other strengths like perspective and bravery can help temper this strength to move you forward.

You'll be more inclined to overuse or underuse certain strengths depending on where they rank for you. Understanding these dynamics can help you recognize when your strengths are out of balance. When you become aware, you can adjust your strengths use and tap into other strengths, which can lead to many positive life changes.

How can you use your strengths to become the best version of yourself? 

"Watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” - Frank Outlaw

Now that you know your personal strengths, you can begin to focus on them and seeing how they can help you tackle challenges.  There are seven character strengths that can be real game changers in academic achievement, success and happiness no matter what your circumstances are. 

1. Hope (Optimism) - The character strength of hope has to do with positive expectations about the future. It involves optimistic thinking and focusing on good things to come.

2. Gratitude - The character strength of gratitude involves feeling and expressing a deep sense of thankfulness in life, and more specifically, taking the time to genuinely express thankfulness to others.

3. Social Intelligence - When a person knows what makes other people tick, he or she is displaying social intelligence

4. Curiosity - To be curious is to explore and discover, to take an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake. 

5. Self Regulation (Self Control)- Self-Regulation is a complex character strength. It has to do with controlling your appetites and emotions and regulating what you do.

6. Zest (Enthusiasm) - Zest means approaching a situation, or life in general, with excitement and energy, not approaching tasks or activities halfway or halfheartedly.

7. Perseverance (Grit)- Perseverance is sticking with things. It means being hardworking and finishing what is started, despite barriers and obstacles that arise.  

Read the sections of the “340 Ways to Use Character Strengths” by Tayyab Rashid about your top five strengths and write down three new ways you can use each of those five strengths.

You can find it here:  340 Ways to Use VIA Character Strengths 

How to adopt a strength based approach to learning how to be an effective college student?

The first step is framing the questions you ask to be from a strength based lens.  See the difference below of a "traditional approach" and a "strength based approach" [4].

NOTE: Starting with your strengths does NOT mean that you only focus on your strengths.  Embrace your struggles as they are part of learning.  But use your strengths to build up on your struggles.  

Using Your Strengths in Learning!