Estimated Reading Time: 10–12 minutes

What You Will Learn

• What character strengths are — and how they differ from talents or skills

• The 24 scientifically validated strengths from the VIA model

• How to identify your top strengths and put them into daily action

• Why focusing on strengths leads to greater happiness, resilience, and meaning

• Practical exercises to uncover and apply your inner superpowers

Introduction: Strengths Hidden in Plain Sight

When we hear the word “strengths,” we often think of what we do — our achievements, abilities, or credentials. But character strengths are different. They are who we are when we’re at our best.

Coined and researched by psychologists Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson, character strengths form the backbone of positive psychology — the scientific study of what makes life worth living. Their groundbreaking work, Character Strengths and Virtues (2004), aimed to do for human goodness what the DSM does for mental disorders: provide a universal, scientific classification of the best in human nature.

The result? The VIA Classification of 24 Character Strengths, organized under six universal virtues — wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. These strengths are not abstract ideals. They are real, measurable traits that show up in how we think, feel, and behave every day.

1. The Science Behind Character Strengths

The VIA Classification emerged from a monumental research project spanning over three years, reviewing texts from major philosophical, religious, and cultural traditions around the world. The goal: identify virtues valued across time and cultures.

Through this cross-cultural synthesis, Seligman and Peterson found that six core virtues consistently appeared:

1. Wisdom — Cognitive strengths that involve acquiring and using knowledge

2. Courage — Emotional strengths that involve overcoming fear or adversity

3. Humanity — Interpersonal strengths involving caring and connection

4. Justice — Civic strengths that sustain community life

5. Temperance — Strengths that protect against excess

6. Transcendence — Strengths that connect us to something greater than ourselves

Within these virtues, they identified 24 character strengths, measurable through the VIA Survey — a free, scientifically validated assessment used by millions worldwide.

Unlike personality traits, which describe how we act, character strengths describe why we act — they are moral, effortful, and oriented toward the good. Research shows that using your top strengths regularly leads to higher well-being, greater engagement, and deeper meaning in life (Seligman, Steen, Park & Peterson, 2005).

2. The 24 VIA Character Strengths: Your Inner Toolkit

Here’s a concise overview of the 24 strengths, organized under their six virtues:

Each strength is a lens through which you see and shape the world. Some come naturally — your “signature strengths.” Others lie dormant, waiting to be developed through awareness and practice.

For instance:

• Curiosity might show as your drive to explore new ideas and experiences.

• Kindness could be your instinct to comfort others or offer help.

• Gratitude may express itself in moments of appreciation for small joys.

Every person has all 24 strengths to varying degrees, forming a unique “strengths profile” — your psychological fingerprint.

3. How to Discover Your Top Strengths

Discovering your character strengths starts with awareness. The simplest way is to take the VIA Survey (available at www.viacharacter.org), which provides a ranked list of your 24 strengths.

But beyond the test, reflection is key. Ask yourself:

• When do I feel most alive and authentic?

• What activities make time fly?

• What qualities do others admire in me?

• What strengths helped me overcome past challenges?

These clues reveal your signature strengths — the ones that energize you, feel natural, and express your core identity.

Research shows that using your signature strengths daily predicts higher levels of happiness and lower depression (Seligman et al., 2005). In other words, your strengths are not just traits — they are pathways to flourishing.

4. Why Strengths Matter: From Self-Awareness to Flourishing

4.1. Strengths and Happiness

Numerous studies link strengths use to positive emotions, engagement, and life satisfaction. For example, Park, Peterson, and Seligman (2004) found that people who frequently use their strengths experience more joy, purpose, and meaning.

Using your top strengths creates a powerful feedback loop: the more you express them, the more fulfilled you feel — and the more likely you are to keep using them.

4.2. Strengths and Resilience

Strengths act as emotional armor. When life gets hard, they help you cope. Bravery allows you to face fear; hope fuels perseverance; humor lightens pain; gratitude shifts perspective.

According to Reivich and Shatté (2002), resilience isn’t just bouncing back — it’s growing stronger through adversity. Recognizing and applying your strengths is one of the most effective ways to build that resilience.

4.3. Strengths and Relationships

Strengths aren’t only individual assets — they’re relational bridges. Kindness, fairness, and social intelligence help you connect authentically with others. When we recognize strengths in our partners, children, or colleagues, relationships become more trusting and cooperative (Niemiec, 2018).

Appreciating strengths in others fosters what researchers call the “positive lens effect” — seeing and bringing out the best in people.

5. Practical Ways to Apply Your Strengths Every Day

Knowing your strengths is only the beginning. Real transformation happens when you start using them intentionally.

Here are five practical ways to activate your inner superpowers:

1. Spot Your Strengths in Action

At the end of each day, reflect: When did I use one of my strengths today? Maybe you used perseverance to finish a workout, or love of learning to explore a new topic. Naming your strengths builds awareness and pride.

2. Use a Strength in a New Way

Research shows that using your top strengths in new ways for one week can boost happiness and reduce depression for up to six months (Seligman et al., 2005).
Example: If kindness is one of your strengths, surprise someone with an anonymous act of generosity.

3. Strengthen a Lesser-Used Trait

Not every strength feels natural — but all can be developed. If prudence isn’t your strong suit, practice pausing before decisions. If humor feels hard, watch a lighthearted show or share laughter with friends.

4. Spot Strengths in Others

When you notice others’ strengths — “I admire your honesty,” or “You showed real courage there” — you strengthen both your bond and their self-esteem. It’s one of the simplest ways to build positive relationships.

5. Align Strengths with Goals

Connect your strengths to what matters most. Want to improve your health? Use self-regulation and zest to stay consistent. Want to grow your career? Leverage curiosity, creativity, or leadership.
Goals rooted in strengths feel more authentic and sustainable.

6. Common Myths About Character Strengths

Myth 1: Strengths Are Just Personality Traits

Not exactly. While personality traits describe tendencies (e.g., introversion), character strengths are moral and intentional — they reflect the best of who we are, guided by values.

Myth 2: Focusing on Strengths Means Ignoring Weaknesses

Strengths-based psychology doesn’t deny shortcomings; it reframes them. The goal is to build on what’s right to manage what’s wrong. Research shows that people who focus on strengths recover faster from setbacks than those who dwell on weaknesses (Clifton & Harter, 2003).

Myth 3: Strengths Are Fixed

Far from it. Strengths can grow through practice, reflection, and feedback. Like muscles, they develop when exercised regularly.

Myth 4: Strengths Work Only in Positive Situations

In truth, some strengths can become overused — kindness without boundaries, prudence without flexibility, or humor at inappropriate times. Wisdom lies in balance: knowing when and how to use each strength.

7. Strengths in Action: Real-World Examples

At Work

Companies that adopt strengths-based cultures see higher engagement, productivity, and retention. Gallup’s global research shows that employees who use their strengths daily are six times more likely to be engaged (Rath & Clifton, 2007).

For leaders, using strengths means recognizing talent in others, assigning roles that align with each person’s natural capacities, and fostering an environment where people can thrive.

In Education

Schools that integrate strengths language into their curriculum help students improve confidence, motivation, and peer relationships. Waters (2015) found that students taught to identify and use their strengths showed higher life satisfaction and lower stress.

In Therapy and Coaching

Strengths-based approaches are now core to positive psychology interventions. Therapists and coaches use them to help clients reframe challenges, set meaningful goals, and activate inner resources.
For instance, in TEAM-CBT, clients use their strengths such as curiosity or honesty to examine unhelpful beliefs with compassion rather than judgment.

8. Exercises to Strengthen Your Strengths

Here are three simple yet powerful exercises you can start today:

1. The “Best Self” Reflection

Write about a time you were at your absolute best — confident, effective, and proud. Describe what you did and which strengths you used. Then ask: How can I use these more often?

2. The Gratitude-Strengths Link

Each evening, list three things you’re grateful for — and the strength you used or witnessed in each. Example: “I’m grateful I used perseverance to finish my report.”

3. The Strengths-Spotting Challenge

For one week, practice identifying strengths in others. Compliment friends, family, or coworkers when you see kindness, humor, or courage in action. You’ll strengthen your relationships — and your positive lens on life.

9. The Deeper Meaning: Strengths and Purpose

When strengths align with purpose, they become more than habits — they become a life philosophy. Transcendence strengths like hope, spirituality, and gratitude connect us to something beyond the self, giving meaning to both joy and suffering.

Using your strengths in service of others — whether through mentoring, creativity, or compassion — transforms self-growth into contribution. This, according to Seligman (2011) in Flourish, is the foundation of authentic well-being: living a life filled with positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment — the PERMA model.

10. From Awareness to Action: Your Next Steps  

1. Take the VIA Survey to discover your strengths profile.

2. Highlight your top five — your signature strengths.

3. Reflect on how each shows up in your life today.

4. Experiment with using them in new ways this week.

5. Share your strengths with someone close to you — and ask about theirs.

Remember: your strengths are not goals to achieve but gifts to express. Every time you use them, you become more aligned with who you truly are.

Conclusion: Your Inner Superpowers Await

The journey to discovering your character strengths isn’t about fixing what’s broken — it’s about uncovering what’s already strong. When you start living from your strengths, life begins to feel more natural, purposeful, and joyful.

As psychologist Ryan Niemiec writes, “Character strengths are pathways — not destinations. They guide us toward the good life, one choice, one action, one moment at a time.”

Your inner superpowers are already within you — waiting to be noticed, named, and nurtured.

References

• Clifton, D. O., & Harter, J. K. (2003). Investing in Strengths. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton, & R. E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive Organizational Scholarship. Berrett-Koehler.

• Niemiec, R. M. (2018). Character Strengths Interventions: A Field Guide for Practitioners. Hogrefe Publishing.

• Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Strengths of Character and Well-Being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), 603–619.

• Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Oxford University Press.

• Rath, T., & Clifton, D. O. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press.

• Reivich, K., & Shatté, A. (2002). The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life’s Hurdles. Broadway Books.

• Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being. Free Press.

• Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive Psychology Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.

• Waters, L. (2015). Strength-Based Parenting: Developing Your Child’s Innate Talents and Skills. McGraw-Hill Education.