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

These strengths are interpersonal and are mostly relevant in one-on-one relationships. 

What is kindness?

Simply put, kindness is being nice to others. 

Kindness is being generous with others, giving your time, money, and talent to support those who are in need. 

Kindness is being compassionate, which means to really be there for someone, listening intently to their suffering or just sitting with them and silently supporting them. Such compassion involves a deep concern for the welfare of others. 

Kindness is also being nurturing and caring to others — to enjoy doing favors for them, to take care of them, and to perform good deeds.

Kind individuals believe that others are worthy of attention and affirmation for their own sake as human beings, not out of a sense of duty or principle. There are three traits of altruistic personalities:

• Empathy/sympathy
• Moral reasoning
• Social responsibility

Why is kindness of value?

• People who give to others, in small and large way, tend to be happier as a result.
• Kind people are often likable to others which can provide opportunities to develop meaningful relationships and love. 
• Kindness directed inward (self-compassion) can contribute to higher self-esteem, less anxiety and depression and greater life satisfaction.

A couple of questions to consider

• What are some ways that you have observed the expression of kindness and compassion by different people in different situations? 
• What character strengths best support your expression of kindness?

Some things that you can do to practise kindness

• Surprise someone you are in a close relationship with by offering a random act of kindness eg a weekend getaway or cook a dinner or help them with their routine or chores.
• Offer acts of kindness in your community by volunteering your time and talents for a good cause or paying something forward like buying an extra coffee for someone in need.
• Track your kind acts. Research shows that this helps to generate awareness of the strength as well as generate new ideas and behaviours.

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

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)

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)

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)