Because of this, the strengths models are very likely to differ; they are simply not all looking for the same things. Although there have been no formal comparisons of the models (at least not that I’m aware of – there may be), there does seem to be overlap between them which suggests that maybe there ‘is’ something we could call ’strengths’, and these different models are tapping into different aspects of it, along with some other stuff (which might be skills, as you say).

Having said that, maybe there isn’t such a ‘thing’ as strengths, and it’s just incidental that we’ve applied this word to humans, in which case a ‘bottom-up’ research approach is the only way to go. Particularly since these models have been made with an applied end in mind, to be useful in business and coaching, to make money from etc. – and not just an old fashioned quest for truth.

Interesting ideas anyway, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Adele!

Great article and discussion, thank you.

I’ve done both VIA and Realise2. Love of learning tops the list for me on both. I got the StrengthsFinder2 book a few days ago but haven’t done the survey yet.

One of the things I had been confused by, before reading the R2 report, was the difference between strengths and skills. When I had read the StrengthsFinder book, their list seemed to me to be more skills than strengths, which confused me. The R2 report describes strengths as things we can do well, which also energise us. Skills are things we can do but which leave us drained. That was a useful distinction for me.

The R2 report identifies strengths we are using, unused strengths,learned behaviours and weaknesses. I like the separation between natural strengths and learned behaviours. When I do the strengths Finder test, I’m wondering whether it will separate these in the same way as, like most people, there are skills I have at work that I’m good at, but I don’t enjoy them and they don’t energise me.

cheers

Adele

I haven’t tried Realise2 yet, though I’m sure I’ll get to it at some point and see how it compares to these two again.

Yes, that’s the same as the old book. So I guess a StrengthsFinder talent is equivalent to a VIA strength, and the SF strengths are equivalent to… VIA strengths that you’ve deliberately developed.

Why does this feel like World of Warcraft all of a sudden?

Will post my scores later (including Realise2). If you haven’t tried Realise2, suggest you do. A very different & broader experience.

Not sure what I think the implications are of this yet, but in StrengthsFinder 2.00 (the book) Tom Rath says “What StrengthsFinder actually measures is talent, not strength. … We named it StrengthsFinder because the ultimate goal is to build a true strength, and talent is just one of the ingredients in this formula.”

So, StrengthsFinder measures talents (NOT STRENGTHS), which they define as “a natural way of thinking, feeling or behaving”. They suggest that these:

talents x time spent developing your skills & knowledge base = strengths (which they define as “the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance”.

Aim low huh?

Hmmm

cheers darren

Thanks for posting your results up. As Candace mentioned above, Harmony isn’t just about navigating people towards amiable relationships, but it can be harmony between ideas or concepts. You have other ‘mental’ strengths (intellection, curiosity, love of learning, critical thinking), so harmony could be built into a strength by combining different ideas together, seeing the similarities between positions, and so on.

Yes it’s good to see similarities between the tests, since both had different ways of approaching the research. It makes a stronger case that there ‘is something’ that these questionnaires are measuring.

Warren

According to strengthsfinder my talents are:
Context, harmony, consistency, intellection and restorative.

I’m happy that I received context, intellection and restorative, as I feel that these are areas that could be turned into strengths by acquiring further knowledge and skills. However, I’m unsure how I could take the talents of harmony and consistency and turn these into strengths.

As for the VIA i scored:
Love of learning
Judgement, criticial thinking and open mindness
Fairness, equity and justice
Modesty and humility
Curiosity and interest in the world

So again, some similarities between the two tests.

You might be right with the Rubik’s Cube analogy. I’m not sure about StrengthsFinder but there was a twin study done on the VIA strengths which showed a decent effect of genetics on the outcome of the questionnaire. It showed that strengths are enduring and ‘hardwired’; or at least, we are born with a propensity to become hardwired in a certain way. It’d be interesting to see a similar study using SF.

Good to see you took up the challenge! The experiment size is 2 now, and we’ve both got similarities in our profiles so maybe they are measuring the same things.

Thank you for the kind words!

You are definitely true to your talents. A deep thinker and focused learner. Trying to reconcile the two assessments with each other speaks to your Harmony, also. Your clear slant toward where to take this points to your Futuristic and I see some Analytical and perhaps a bit of a Deliberative peaking out, too.

I’ll rise to the challenge – I am proud of my talents!
They are: Strategic, Learner, Connectedness, Input and Woo – then Maximizer, Ideation and Positivity.

My latest VIA pegs me with: Curiosity and interest in the world, Hope, optimism and future-mindedness, Humor and playfulness, Creativity, ingenuity, and originality and Love of learning.

Different constructs and different ways to look at oneself. There are definitely connections between the two as there are between many of the assessments out there. My view is that assessments measure different things. If we consider the complexity of an individual, think of the assessments as showing us the various faces of the person – sort of like a Rubik’s Cube. We can look at them from many different angles, but there is an internal (hidden) mechanism that controls the movements of the various external pieces. I believe the talents revealed by the StrengthsFinder instrument are the levers that control that mechanism. I also believe this is the closest we have come to date to uncovering the soul’s code that James Hillman talks about in his work.

I am glad you have taken an interest in Positive Psychology and look forward to seeing what you do to forward this science in coming years! The world needs young leaders to take up the challenge of finding a solution to the world’s ailments. Thanks for stepping up to the task!