How Am I Strong?: Skills & Character Strengths
Normally when I take self-assessment tests online, I find that the results are not accurate, or that they do not apply to me, as if someone else took the test. At least, they don't present results that would correlate with my opinion of myself. When I took the VIA Character Strengths test however, I found the results to be very accurate. Here they are:
1. Appreciation of beauty and excellence
2. Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty
4. Curiosity and interest in the world
The character strength that surprised me the most at first was my apparent top character strength, appreciation of beauty and excellence. At first, I thought, "I'm not particularly good at noticing when things are beautiful or excellent." Plus, I felt like other character strengths applied more to me. But then I really thought about it, and I realized that this strength is very characteristic of me. I like to go through live appreciating the small, beautiful things that make it worth it. If I have to lag behind the group to look at something more closely, or simply just to take it all in, I will have no problem doing so.
It was interesting how my Enneagram personality type and my Myers-Briggs personality type tied in with my top character strengths. This is how:
Being able to be flexible with one's time implies that one is not too uptight. It's a bonus if one can also appreciate at least a few things in their surrounding environment, and being able to see things that are worth appreciating anywhere they go shows real appreciation of beauty and excellence.
To be able to work well in a team, you have to be willing to collaborate. This means that you can't be too fixed in your own ideas; you have to listen to others as well. This requires someone who's willing to go with what the group wants; not causing conflict by being stubborn and stuck on their ideas. It would also be a bonus to have someone, like a type 9, in the group to resolve problems and help deal with conflict among other group members. All of these skills are very important to having citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty.
Gratitude takes a good deal of awareness and observation. This is why I am often very grateful for everything I have. Often people get cranky when there is a sudden change of plans, or they get nervous when they have to “wing it” in a presentation or speech, etc. However, as a 9, I am able to adjust easily to others’ needs without complaining. I believe this is, not only because I am easygoing, but also because I am grateful. I am very grateful for when things do go the way I want them to; I don’t just expect them to go that way as others do. So when things go not according to plan, I don’t sweat it. Gratitude is a very important skill to have in our day and age because, with so much going wrong with the world, one must focus on the things that make life beautiful.
As a 9, I rarely set in my ways or thoughts. That is, I’m always open to the ideas of others, and I understand that, just because I think something is so, doesn’t mean it is. So, in order to come up with a good idea, or figure something out, I have to look at the world around me. This requires curiosity. Curiosity is the key to coming up with solid and dynamic ideas. This element of curiosity ties in well with being a 9 because we are very flexible people who don’t respond well to rigidity, and people who are set in their ways. We bring the ideas to the group, and, without curiosity, we would be extreme burdens to our groups, but, with curiosity, we are invaluable assets.
Bravery and valour was the character strength I was least surprised by. I’ve always been a pretty courageous person, never afraid to be the first to try something new, and I will almost always volunteer to do something first (present, venture, etc.) It is important for someone who resolves conflict to be brave. When I see conflict, my immediate urge is to stop it, so I stand up for my beliefs and make a move to do so. I try to avoid conflict, but I will put an end to a fight, even if others wish to continue or if I get flack for it. The real bravery is having the courage to intervene in a fight, not start one.
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