Spotting your personal strengths

Strength spotting involves identifying and acknowledging positive qualities, capabilities, and strengths in ourselves and others. It is about recognising and appreciating the unique talents, skills, and virtues that everyone possesses, even in challenging situations. This practice can foster a supportive and empowering environment, boost self-esteem, and enhance relationships by highlighting strengths and encouraging their development. 

1. Spotting your personal strengths

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Deep roots: What do you still do now that you did as a child?

• Motivation: What activities do you do just because you love doing them? 

• Voice: When does the tone of your voice indicate enjoyment and energy?

• Energy: What activities do you do that give you energy?

• Rapid learning: What things do you pick up effortlessly and quickly?

• Authenticity: When do you feel like ‘the real me’?

• Attention: Where do you naturally pay attention?

• Ease: What activities come easily to you?

2. Spotting the strengths of others

Build a language of character strengths: Develop an understanding of the range of personal strengths to improve your ability to spot them in others; see the list of character strengths in FWB2 Self-confidence and Self-efficacy

Develop your observation and listening skills: Enhance your awareness of what strengths look like in action based on: 

a) verbal cues (listen for a more assertive voice, improved vocabulary and clarity of speech, and use of specific strengths words)

b) nonverbal cues (look for improved posture and eye contact, smiling and laughing, and greater use of gestures signifying excitement and passion).

3. Label and explain character strength behaviours: Show people that you notice when they show their strengths by:

a) identifying the specific strength demonstrated

b) explaining how you spotted it

c) showing that this strength is appreciated.

Make strengths-spotting a habit: Build your skills by practicing your capacity to recognise character strengths in people across different situations.