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    Interactive assessment

    Character Strengths Assessment

    Identify your signature character strengths across the six VIA virtues, Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance and Transcendence.

    Positive psychology research shows that people who identify and actively use their character strengths report higher levels of engagement, wellbeing and performance. This assessment maps your psychological strengths across the six universal virtues identified by Seligman, Peterson and the VIA Institute to help you understand and make the most of what is best in you.

    Questions or items
    24 questions or items
    Completion time
    Around 12 minutes
    Dimensions
    Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, Transcendence
    What you receive
    Personalised results with configured interpretation bands, section scores and development guidance.

    What it covers

    • Wisdom
    • Courage
    • Humanity
    • Justice
    • Temperance
    • Transcendence

    Rate each statement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree) based on how accurately it describes you at your best. Think about situations where you are operating well, not your worst days.

    Results: Personalised results with configured interpretation bands, section scores and development guidance.

    How this interactive diagnostic works

    This page provides the documented overview before the interactive experience is loaded. It lets you read the purpose, the material covered and the way the result is presented without entering answers or sending a request. When you choose to continue, the interactive version uses the same material shown here. It records your selections while you work and only calculates its result when its required items are complete.

    Analytics consent is required before the interactive experience is mounted. Declining consent does not start the diagnostic or its tracking. If you continue, the existing experience remains responsible for its own input, score and lead-capture step. Where the route requests a first name and work email, its existing form handles validation and submission. This overview does not replace those steps or submit a lead.

    Statements in this diagnostic

    The interactive version groups the statements below by section. Read them in relation to the situation named in the instructions, then use the response scale shown by the diagnostic. The section descriptions are part of the existing configuration and explain the aspect each group is intended to examine.

    Wisdom

    Strengths of knowledge, ways of acquiring and using information for the good of yourself and others.

    1. I am genuinely curious about the world, I find many topics fascinating and love to learn
    2. I think things through carefully and examine them from many angles before forming a view
    3. I see connections between seemingly unrelated ideas and find creative ways to solve problems
    4. When others face difficult decisions, they seek me out for advice, I offer a wise perspective

    Courage

    Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal.

    1. I say what I think even when it is unpopular, I don't suppress my views to avoid conflict
    2. I pursue my goals with energy and persistence, I don't give up easily
    3. I am authentic, I present myself consistently in all situations, not just when it is comfortable
    4. I face frightening or challenging situations with courage rather than avoidance

    Humanity

    Interpersonal strengths that involve caring about and befriending others.

    1. I genuinely care about the wellbeing of others, not just those close to me, but people in general
    2. I am good at sensing what other people are thinking or feeling, even when they don't say it
    3. I find it natural to be kind and generous to others, including strangers, without needing recognition
    4. I value close relationships and invest in them consistently

    Justice

    Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life and the fair treatment of all people.

    1. I treat all people fairly and consistently, I don't let personal feelings bias my treatment of others
    2. I am good at organising and leading group activities, people respond to my leadership
    3. I feel a strong sense of obligation to the groups and communities I belong to
    4. When I see injustice, I speak up, even when it would be easier to stay silent

    Temperance

    Strengths that protect against excess, the ability to regulate impulses and exercise appropriate restraint.

    1. I am forgiving, I don't hold grudges and give people a second chance when they have wronged me
    2. I am modest about my achievements, I don't seek the spotlight or boast
    3. I think before I act, I am cautious and deliberate rather than impulsive
    4. I have good self-discipline, I can manage my desires and habits without them controlling me

    Transcendence

    Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning.

    1. I notice and appreciate beauty and excellence in the world around me, in art, nature, and people
    2. I feel grateful for the good things in my life and express that gratitude regularly
    3. I have a strong sense of purpose, my life has meaning beyond my day-to-day activities
    4. I have a strong sense of optimism, I expect good things to happen and work toward positive futures

    How the result is read

    The interactive diagnostic totals the selected item scores by section and across the whole assessment. It then matches those totals to the configured interpretation bands and shows the section-level results alongside the overall result.

    • Developing Awareness, 24 to 55: You scored low across multiple virtue areas. This may reflect genuine underdevelopment in some strengths, or it may reflect a tendency toward self-criticism. Review your section scores, identify the one or two virtues where you scored highest. These are likely your signature strengths. Begin there.
    • Emerging Strengths, 56 to 83: You have a mixed strength profile with clear highs and lows. Focus on your highest two sections, these are your signature strengths. Research shows that the greatest gains come from deploying your top strengths more intentionally, not from shoring up your lowest scores.
    • Strong Character Profile, 84 to 108: A strong character profile across multiple virtues. You have genuine psychological strengths to build on. Use your top two sections as the foundation, find new ways to apply these strengths in your current role and relationships.
    • Exceptional Strengths, 109 to 120: An exceptionally strong character profile. Your psychological strengths are a genuine asset, to you and to the people around you. The research is clear: people who actively use their top character strengths daily report higher wellbeing, stronger relationships and better performance.

    Sources named in this diagnostic

    • Peterson, C. and Seligman, M.E.P. (2004) Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    • Seligman, M.E.P. (2011) Flourish: A New Understanding of Happiness and Wellbeing. London: Nicholas Brealey.
    • VIA Institute on Character (2023) The Science of Character Strengths. Cincinnati: VIA Institute.

    Where to take the next step

    Executive coaching creates space to build self-awareness, work through leadership challenges and sustain performance.

    Explore Executive Coaching

    Frequently asked questions

    What does the Character Strengths Assessment measure?

    Positive psychology research shows that people who identify and actively use their character strengths report higher levels of engagement, wellbeing and performance. This assessment maps your psychological strengths across the six universal virtues identified by Seligman, Peterson and the VIA Institute to help you understand and make the most of what is best in you.

    How many questions are in the Character Strengths Assessment?

    It contains 24 questions grouped into 6 dimensions: Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, Transcendence.

    How is the Character Strengths Assessment scored?

    Responses are scored within each section and totalled across the diagnostic. The total is compared with the configured interpretation bands.

    What happens after I complete the Character Strengths Assessment?

    After the required items are answered, the existing first-name and email gate is shown before the results are displayed. The result includes an overall interpretation, section scores and development guidance.

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