What Your Personal Strengths Say About You

These three personal strengths are universally valued accross cultures. Here's what they say about you, if you exhibit them.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | December 05, 2024

The VIA (Values in Action) Classification of character strengths, created by researchers Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, identifies 24 core strengths, which represent positive traits universally valued across cultures.

Among the 24 strengths outlined by this framework, a 2021 study published in the European Journal of Personality highlights three overarching categories: Positivity, Dependability and Mastery.

Here's what these strengths reveal about you, according to the study.

1. Positivity

Positivity embodies traits like forgiveness, zest, hope and the capacity for love. Individuals with these traits are characterized by their ability to remain cheerful, optimistic and compassionate, even in the face of adversity.

Such individuals are likely to avoid holding grudges and focus on the joy of living. In their worldview, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

Here's a deeper explanation of these qualities:

• Forgiveness. This refers to the ability to let go of resentment and grant others a second chance when they've hurt you. It involves practicing empathy to understand others' perspectives and focusing on reconciliation, rather than retribution.
• Zest. This refers to approaching life with enthusiasm and energy. Such individuals maintain a positive attitude and encourage others with their lively presence. They often experience excitement about all of life's possibilities.
• Hope. Hopeful individuals expect positive outcomes and strive for them. They set optimistic goals for the future, encourage others to stay positive and focus on helpful possibilities rather than obstacles.
• The capacity for love. Loving individuals value close, reciprocal relationships with others. They express affection and care for loved ones, supporting them through tough times.

2. Dependability

Dependable individuals are reliable and grounded, marked by strengths such as prudence, humility, integrity and equity. They are likely to act with moral clarity and make thoughtful and informed decisions, with fairness and the well-being of others at the forefront of their minds.

Here's a deeper explanation of these traits:

• Prudence. This strength involves making carefully considered choices, planning ahead to avoid unnecessary risks and thinking before acting or speaking impulsively. Prudent individuals can balance short-term desires with long-term benefits and avoid giving in to the desire for immediate gratification.
• Humility. Humility involves having an accurate view of one's strengths and weaknesses, without arrogance. Humble individuals can admit to mistakes or areas for improvement. They let their achievements speak for themselves and also value others' contributions and strengths.
• Integrity. Integrity involves being truthful and authentic in one's words and actions. Such individuals live in alignment with personal values, hold themselves accountable and act with sincerity even in difficult situations.
• Equity. Equity refers to valuing fairness, justice and treating everyone impartially. It can involve ensuring that everyone has a chance to participate, avoiding favoritism or bias in decision-making and standing up against injustice or discrimination.

3. Mastery

"Mastery is characterized by judgement, originality, perspective, valor, leadership and social intelligence, thus describing a wise and ingenious leader," the researchers write. Such individuals excel in solving problems, guiding others and navigating complex social dynamics.

Here's a deeper explanation of these strengths.

• Judgement. This refers to the ability to think things through and examine evidence rationally. Individuals with good judgment display critical thinking skills, make balanced and fair decisions and consider multiple perspectives before coming to a conclusion.
• Originality. Originality involves creativity and the ability to think uniquely. Creative individuals come up with novel and productive ideas or ways of doing things, solving problems in unconventional ways. They tend to enjoy brainstorming and artistic pursuits.
• Perspective. Individuals with perspective excel at providing wise counsel and seeing the bigger picture. They reflect on life experiences to provide valuable insight and are often sought after for their guidance.
• Valor. Individuals displaying bravery or valor act on their convictions despite fear or adversity. They're likely to take calculated risks for meaningful causes and face challenges with resilience.
• Leadership. Leaders inspire, unite and guide groups toward shared goals. They often take responsibility for group outcomes, encourage and motivate team members and mediate conflicts.
• Social intelligence. This refers to understanding and navigating social dynamics effectively. Socially intelligent individuals recognize others' emotions and respond appropriately. They can adapt their communication style based on their audience and maintain relationships with ease.

The beauty of these strengths is that they are not fixed traits you're born with, but qualities you can develop through intentional effort and practice. Cultivating these strengths is also not just about personal improvement; it's about building a richer, more connected life.

Positivity allows you to face life's challenges with resilience and optimism, inspiring others to do the same. Dependability helps foster trust and fairness in relationships, making you a steady and compassionate presence in the lives of those around you. Mastery enables you to navigate complexities with wisdom and guide others toward solutions, creating ripples of positive change.

By embracing and nurturing these strengths, you are not only enhancing your own life but also contributing to a more empathetic and harmonious world. Reflect on the strengths you already display and consider the ones you'd like to cultivate further. Growth takes time, but every effort you make is a step toward becoming the best, and possibly happiest version of yourself.

Curious about how you approach decision-making? Take this test to learn more: Intuitive Decision Style Scale

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.