Perspective is one of the five character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Wisdom.

Wisdom describes strengths that help you gather and use knowledge. 

What is perspective?

Perspective is the ability to see the bigger picture in life. Perspective is about being able to see the forest as well as the trees, to avoid getting wrapped up in the small details when there are bigger issues to consider. 

While listening to others, perspective helps you to simultaneously think about life lessons, proper conduct, and what’s best for the situation being discussed. This ability to look at systems as a whole, or to think in big terms, helps you to offer good advice. 

Perspective is distinct from intelligence but represents a high level of knowledge, the capacity to give advice and to recognize and weight multiple sides before making decisions. It allows the individual to address important questions about the conduct and meaning of life.

Why is perspective of value?

• Individuals with perspective are valued by others seeking counsel since those individuals help them see the big picture and alternative points of view.
• Perspective plays an important role in applying strengths according to the “golden mean” – the right strength, the right amount of strength and the right situation.
• Perspective enables people to learn from mistakes and from the strengths of others.

A couple of questions to consider

• When has looking at a problem from another level been most helpful for you personally and for others around you?
• At times when it was difficult to gain perspective, how did you work to see the big picture?

Some things that you can do to practise perspective

• Ask someone you are close to how they find your perspective helpful and when it is not helpful.
• For a challenging work project, go outside your inner circle in order to gather the perspectives of multiple sources. 
• Consider the positives and negatives of offering your perspectives in a close relationship. How might you improve in sharing or not sharing perspective in the future with this person?

For more information on the strength of perspective, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/characte…/social-intelligence

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)

Hope is one of the five character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Transcendence. 

Transcendence describes strengths that help you connect to the larger universe and provide meaning.

What is hope?

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. 

Hope is more than a feel-good emotion. It is an action-oriented strength involving agency, the motivation and confidence that goals can be reached, and also that many effective pathways can be devised in order to get to that desired future. 

Optimism is closely linked with having a particular explanatory style (how we explain the causes of bad events). People using an optimistic explanatory style interpret events as external, unstable and specific. Those using a pessimistic explanatory style interpret events as internal, stable and global.

Why is hope of value?

• Hopeful people persevere, especially when challenged. They are more resilient.
• Hope and optimism correlate with active problem solving. Hope is associated with conscientiousness, diligence and the ability to delay gratification. 
• Hope is one of the two character strengths most associated with life satisfaction and wellbeing.

A couple of questions to consider

• What role does hope play during challenging times in your life and how do you express that hope?
• How do you balance what is realistic and what is unrealistic in terms of your expression of hope and optimism?

Some things that you can do to practise hope

• Document three accomplishments with your relationship partner and consider how each can inspire your relationship in the future.
• Use your strength of hope to work on tasks that will benefit you, your co-workers or your organisation in the longer term. Consider how your work today will contribute to the future.
• Consider a struggle you are having. Write down two optimistic thoughts that bring comfort. Add two actions you can take to move small steps forward. 

For more information on the strength of hope, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/hope

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)

Curiosity is one of the five character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Wisdom.

Wisdom describes strengths that help you gather and use knowledge. 

What is curiosity?

To be curious is to explore and discover, to take an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake. Curiosity is often described as novelty-seeking and being open to experience, and it’s associated with the natural desire to build knowledge. 

It is fulfilling to journey toward an answer, to engage in a new experience, or to learn a new fact. To go to a new restaurant, visit a new city, meet a new person in your class, or to conduct an online search for a question can each fulfill your quest for new experiences and new information.

There are two key components to curious individuals: They are interested in exploring new ideas, activities and experiences, and they also have a strong desire to increase their own personal knowledge.

Why is curiosity of value?

• Curiosity is associated with happiness, health and longevity and positive social relationships.
• Curiosity helps in seeking and finding greater meaning in life. 
• Curiosity helps in embracing uncertain and new situations.

A couple of questions to consider

• What are you most curious about? 
• Were you a curious child or adolescent? Has your curiosity been affected growing up? If it has changed over time, why is that?

Some things that you can do to practise curiosity

• Ask someone close to you what they are curious about and find ways to explore the topic together.
• Try asking “why?” more often to express more curiosity at work. Don’t take what you’re told at face value if it doesn’t make complete sense to you.
• Do an online search for community activities around you. Take notice of what piques your interest most.

For more information on the strength of curiosity, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/curiosity

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)

Social intelligence is one of the three character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Humanity.

Humanity describes strengths that manifest in caring relationships with others. These strengths are interpersonal and are mostly relevant in one-on-one relationships.

What is social intelligence?

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

They’re aware of the motives and feelings of themselves and others, and how to fit into different social situations. 

They can feel comfortable and say the right thing whether they’re in the boardroom or the maintenance shed, in a school setting or at a construction site. 

Social intelligence involves two general components:

• Social awareness: what we sense about others
• Social facility: what we do with our awareness

Why is social intelligence of value?

• Social and emotional intelligence help in negotiating successful transactions with other people, whether in social or business situations.
• Social intelligence contributes to a high level of comfort across a variety of social situations, opening up opportunities for meeting new people and participating in new experiences.
• The ability to recognise and respond to differences in others contributes to establishing trust and helps in building relationships.

A couple of questions to consider

• What are the social situations that have had the most positive outcomes for you?
• What other character strengths help you to be more socially intelligent?

Some things that you can do to practise social intelligence

• When you find yourself in a relational argument you have been in before attempt to find at least one positive element in the other person’s comments or opinions.
• Ask someone close to you what they most appreciate about the way that you interact with them and what they would most like you to do differently. 
• Evaluate one or more of your emotions in a complex situation. Consider the benefits to yourself in sharing those emotions with others.

For more information on the strength of social intelligence, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/characte…/social-intelligence

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)