64 My Personal Capability
My personal strengths as a critical thinker and problem solver
Now that we have explored the way in which mindfulness can help us to build awareness and focus, it would be useful to apply that thinking in exploring your own personal strengths and talents in the context of critical thinking and problem solving.
The following questions might help with your reflections…
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What are some of the natural strengths and talents that come to mind thinking through your work life?
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What have others noticed as core strengths when giving you feedback?
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Thinking about this topic of critical thinking and problem solving what is exciting for you to explore further?
While traditionally many work environments have tended to focus on our personal ‘gaps’ or limitations when considering personal development and performance feedback, there is growing evidence that, as humans, we are much more driven to excel and grow when we seek to leverage our personal strengths and talents.1 This work focuses on the idea that we are more inclined to bring energy and attention to those things we have some strength in than trying to undertake work that reinforces our natural limitations. Of course, this is not to stay that we do not want to learn new things, more that we are more likely to flourish when working in the areas we find aligned to our natural talents.
While there are a number of strong tools that can support you to assess your strengths, the VIA Institute on Character is one group that believes that understanding your character strengths can help you reflect on your individual capability and impact in your own work context. Character strengths are personality characteristics that make you authentic and unique; and that generally come to the fore in situations where you feel highly engaged. The VIA Survey is a simple and quick self-assessment that is completed in just a few minutes. It was created by a group led by Dr Martin Seligman, often considered to be one of the greatest researchers in the space of positive psychology.
The VIA self-assessment survey is regarded as a central tool of positive psychology and has been used in hundreds of research studies and taken by over 11 million people in over 190 countries.2
Activity
Please note you will need to register to access the Free Character Strengths Survey.
Complete the audit and review your own strengths in your Reflective Journal.
- What insights does this give you about the kinds of work you find most energising?
- How might you use your strengths as you navigate this change opportunity?
References
- Hodges, T. D., & Asplund, J. (2010). Strengths development in the workplace.
- VIA Institute of Character. (n.d.) Bring Your Strengths to Life and Live More Fully. Available at https://www.viacharacter.org/
