VIA Strengths Profile

In Short

Identify character strengths that fuel engagement and meaning
Best for: Values in Action character strengths
VIA Strengths Profile is a structured tool for coaching and facilitation. Identify character strengths that fuel engagement and meaning. It provides a repeatable framework that can be adapted to individual, team, and leadership development contexts.
Type of tool: Values in Action character strengths
Expected outcomes:
- Improved ability to identify character strengths that fuel engagement and meaning
- A concrete action or development plan to take forward from the VIA Strengths Profile process

In Detail

VIA Strengths Profile is a professional development resource designed to help coaches, leaders, and facilitators identify character strengths that fuel engagement and meaning. It sits within the category of Values in Action character strengths, making it particularly useful for practitioners working on capability development, team performance, and individual growth in organisational settings.

In practice, VIA Strengths Profile is delivered as a 6-step process. The process begins by participants complete the VIA Character Strengths Survey at viacharacter. The session closes by build a role or project plan that deploys the top strengths. The structured approach ensures that participants move through a consistent experience while leaving room for the facilitator to adapt pacing and depth to the group's needs.

VIA Strengths Profile is most valuable when practitioners need a reliable, repeatable approach that can be adapted to different contexts without losing its core structure. It bridges the gap between conceptual understanding and practical application, making it a durable addition to any coaching or facilitation toolkit.

How to Use

1. Participants complete the VIA Character Strengths Survey at viacharacter.org (free). 2. Receive a ranked profile of 24 character strengths. 3. Focus on the top 5 signature strengths -- how do these show up in daily work? 4. Discuss the bottom strengths: genuine weaknesses or simply less developed qualities? 5. Design a strengths-spotting practice: identify when each signature strength was used today. 6. Build a role or project plan that deploys the top strengths.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Directly addresses the challenge of identify character strengths that fuel engagement and meaning through a structured, repeatable approach Adaptable to different seniority levels, team sizes, and organisational contexts Generates actionable insight that participants can apply immediately in their work	Effectiveness varies based on the facilitator's skill level and familiarity with the tool Requires adequate time for both the exercise and a meaningful debrief to realise full value May not be appropriate for all cultural contexts without adaptation

Created by Martin Seligman & Christopher Peterson

When to Use

This tool is suited to the following coaching and facilitation contexts:

Context	Relevant
Individual Coaching	✓
Team Coaching
Leadership Development
Facilitation / Workshop
Online / Virtual

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