The foundation of Strength Based Leadership is the identification and application of strengths.
There are numerous pathways to strength identification but one of my favorite tools is the VIA Signature Strength Inventory at www.authentichappiness.org. There is no charge to take the inventory and examine your results. I appreciate the solid psychological research behind the inventory and the sharp focus on your top 5 signature strengths out of a possible 24 strengths.
Here are a few statements about signature strengths from Martin Seligman’s classic book, Authentic Happiness.
Our life task is to deploy our signature strengths and virtues in the major realms of living: work, love, parenting, and finding purpose.
Personal meaning is the attachment of your signature strengths to something larger than yourself.
At work, Seligman believed that re-crafting your job to deploy your strengths every day can change your career into a calling. Your work can be more satisfying than it is now by using your signature strengths at work more often.
What are you waiting for? If you have not taken the 20 to 40 minutes to complete the signature strength inventory now is a great time to do so. The results will give you a list your 5 signature strengths. If you are having difficulties finding or taking the inventory I invite you to email me at dzinger@shaw.ca.
Yet, strength training is more than listing. Strength training includes lifting and living – lifting your leadership to new levels through your strengths and living your strengths to maximize full engagement.
Strength Test: Are you listing, lifting, and living your strengths?
To model a strength training approach, the next five articles in Strength Based Leadership will focus on the applications and challenges I encounter in leveraging my signature strengths in leadership. My purpose in doing this is to encourage you to go through the same process for your signature strengths. I hope this will enhance your reflection and mindfulness of strengths while finding new ways and opportunities to make your strengths come alive at work.
The 5 strengths I will examine are:
1. Humor (playfulness)
2. Curiosity (interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience)
3. Creativity (originality, ingenuity)
4. Love of learning
5. Spirituality (purpose)
Next post: Humor and Playfulness: When you laugh, you last.
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