Advertisement
AuthenticHappiness.org - StrengthsFinder Test: Unlocking Your Potential for a Fulfilling Life
Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and unlock your unique potential? The Authentic Happiness website, a project spearheaded by renowned psychologist Martin Seligman, offers a powerful tool for precisely that: the StrengthsFinder assessment. This comprehensive guide will delve deep into the AuthenticHappiness.org StrengthsFinder test, explaining what it is, how it works, its benefits, and how to best interpret your results to cultivate a more fulfilling and meaningful life. We'll unravel the mysteries behind this popular assessment and show you how to leverage your unique strengths to achieve authentic happiness.
Understanding the AuthenticHappiness.org StrengthsFinder Test
The StrengthsFinder assessment, accessible through AuthenticHappiness.org, isn't just another personality test. It's a scientifically-backed tool designed to identify your top five signature talents – those innate strengths that energize you and come naturally. Unlike weakness-focused approaches, StrengthsFinder emphasizes building on your existing strengths to achieve optimal performance and well-being. This positive psychology approach empowers you to understand your natural predispositions and leverage them to create a more fulfilling life, both personally and professionally. The test itself involves answering a series of questions, carefully designed to pinpoint your inherent talents.
How the StrengthsFinder Test Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process of taking the AuthenticHappiness.org StrengthsFinder test is remarkably straightforward. First, you'll need to purchase access to the assessment through the website. Once purchased, you'll gain immediate access to the online test. The test itself is a timed exercise, typically taking around 30 minutes to complete. The questions are concise and designed to be easily understood. You'll be presented with various scenarios and asked to select the responses that best reflect your natural tendencies and preferences. The assessment isn't about right or wrong answers; it's about identifying your inherent patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
After completing the assessment, you'll receive your personalized top five signature talents. Each talent is described in detail within the accompanying StrengthsFinder report, providing clear explanations of what each talent entails and practical strategies for utilizing it in various aspects of your life.
Interpreting Your StrengthsFinder Results: From Insight to Action
Receiving your top five strengths is just the beginning. The real power of the StrengthsFinder assessment lies in understanding how to effectively utilize these strengths in your daily life. The accompanying report provides valuable insights into each talent, including practical applications and potential challenges. For example, if "Strategic Thinking" is one of your top strengths, the report might suggest ways to apply this strength in your career, relationships, and personal projects. Understanding how your strengths interact with each other is also crucial. The report often highlights the synergies between your top talents, enabling you to leverage their combined power.
Utilizing StrengthsFinder for Personal Growth and Development
The benefits of the AuthenticHappiness.org StrengthsFinder test extend far beyond simply identifying your top talents. By understanding your strengths, you can:
Increase Self-Awareness: Gain a deeper understanding of your natural abilities and preferences.
Boost Confidence: Recognize and celebrate your unique capabilities.
Enhance Performance: Leverage your strengths to excel in your chosen fields.
Improve Relationships: Understand how your strengths impact your interactions with others.
Find Meaning and Purpose: Align your actions with your innate talents to lead a more fulfilling life.
Reduce Stress and Burnout: Focus on tasks and activities that align with your strengths, reducing feelings of overwhelm.
Increase Engagement: Find work and activities that energize you rather than drain you.
Make Better Decisions: Rely on your inherent strengths to guide your choices.
Beyond the Test: Cultivating Authentic Happiness
The StrengthsFinder assessment is a powerful tool, but it's merely a starting point on the journey towards authentic happiness. Continuous self-reflection, goal setting, and action are essential to fully harness the power of your strengths. Consider journaling regularly to track your progress, actively seeking opportunities to use your strengths, and seeking feedback from others to gain further insights. Remember, cultivating authentic happiness is an ongoing process of growth and development.
Ebook Outline: Unlocking Your Potential with StrengthsFinder
Title: Unlocking Your Potential: A Practical Guide to the AuthenticHappiness.org StrengthsFinder Test
I. Introduction:
What is Authentic Happiness and the StrengthsFinder Assessment?
The Benefits of Understanding Your Strengths.
How This Ebook Will Help You.
II. Taking the StrengthsFinder Test:
Accessing and Purchasing the Test.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Assessment.
Understanding the Question Types and How to Respond Effectively.
III. Interpreting Your Results:
Understanding Your Top Five Signature Themes.
Detailed Explanation of Each Talent.
Identifying Synergies and Potential Challenges.
IV. Applying Your Strengths:
Utilizing Your Strengths in Your Career.
Leveraging Your Strengths in Relationships.
Applying Your Strengths to Personal Growth.
Overcoming Potential Pitfalls.
V. Cultivating Authentic Happiness:
Setting Goals Based on Your Strengths.
Continuous Self-Reflection and Journaling.
Seeking Feedback and Support.
Maintaining Momentum and Long-Term Growth.
VI. Conclusion:
Recap of Key Takeaways.
Encouragement for Continued Self-Discovery.
Resources for Further Exploration.
(Each section detailed below would expand on the points above, providing detailed examples, exercises, and practical advice.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does the StrengthsFinder test take? Approximately 30 minutes.
2. How much does the StrengthsFinder test cost? The price varies; check the AuthenticHappiness.org website for current pricing.
3. Is the StrengthsFinder test accurate? The assessment is based on extensive research and is considered a reliable tool for identifying strengths.
4. Can I retake the StrengthsFinder test? No, the test is designed to be taken only once.
5. What if my results don't align with how I see myself? Self-perception can be subjective; the StrengthsFinder provides an objective perspective. Review the descriptions of your themes carefully.
6. How can I use StrengthsFinder in my workplace? Share your results with your manager or colleagues to improve teamwork and communication.
7. Is the StrengthsFinder test suitable for all ages? While adaptable for many, the ideal age range may vary depending on maturity level. Consider individual needs.
8. What if I don't like any of my top five strengths? This is unlikely. The test aims to identify innate talents, even if they may not be immediately apparent.
9. Where can I find additional resources to learn more about my StrengthsFinder results? The AuthenticHappiness.org website offers additional resources and materials.
Related Articles:
1. Understanding Positive Psychology and its Impact on Well-being: Explores the foundation of the StrengthsFinder assessment, connecting it to the broader field of positive psychology.
2. The Science Behind StrengthsFinder: Validity and Reliability: Delves into the research underpinning the assessment, providing evidence of its accuracy and effectiveness.
3. StrengthsFinder for Career Development: Choosing the Right Path: Focuses on how to use StrengthsFinder to make informed career choices, aligning your work with your talents.
4. Building Stronger Relationships Using StrengthsFinder Insights: Explores how understanding your strengths and those of others can strengthen personal relationships.
5. Overcoming Challenges with StrengthsFinder: Turning Weaknesses into Strengths: Addresses potential limitations and shows how to compensate and build upon weaknesses while focusing on strengths.
6. StrengthsFinder and Goal Setting: Achieving Your Full Potential: Connects StrengthsFinder results with practical goal-setting techniques for personal and professional growth.
7. StrengthsFinder for Entrepreneurs: Building a Successful Business: Tailors the application of StrengthsFinder to the unique challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship.
8. StrengthsFinder for Teamwork: Leveraging Collective Strengths: Explores the application of StrengthsFinder to building effective teams and maximizing collaborative success.
9. Using StrengthsFinder for Personal Branding: Marketing Your Unique Value: Explores how understanding your strengths can help you create a compelling personal brand for professional purposes.
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Authentic Happiness Martin E. P. Seligman, 2002-08-27 Argues that happiness can be a learned and cultivated behavior, explaining how every person possesses at least five of twenty-four profiled strengths that can be built on in order to improve life. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: StrengthsFinder 2.0 Tom Rath, 2007-02 A new & upgraded edition of the online test from Gallup's Now, discover your strengths--Jacket. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Character Strengths and Virtues Christopher Peterson, Martin E. P. Seligman, 2004-04-08 Character has become a front-and-center topic in contemporary discourse, but this term does not have a fixed meaning. Character may be simply defined by what someone does not do, but a more active and thorough definition is necessary, one that addresses certain vital questions. Is character a singular characteristic of an individual, or is it composed of different aspects? Does character--however we define it--exist in degrees, or is it simply something one happens to have? How can character be developed? Can it be learned? Relatedly, can it be taught, and who might be the most effective teacher? What roles are played by family, schools, the media, religion, and the larger culture? This groundbreaking handbook of character strengths and virtues is the first progress report from a prestigious group of researchers who have undertaken the systematic classification and measurement of widely valued positive traits. They approach good character in terms of separate strengths-authenticity, persistence, kindness, gratitude, hope, humor, and so on-each of which exists in degrees. Character Strengths and Virtues classifies twenty-four specific strengths under six broad virtues that consistently emerge across history and culture: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Each strength is thoroughly examined in its own chapter, with special attention to its meaning, explanation, measurement, causes, correlates, consequences, and development across the life span, as well as to strategies for its deliberate cultivation. This book demands the attention of anyone interested in psychology and what it can teach about the good life. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: The Hope Circuit Martin E. P. Seligman, 2018-04-03 One of the most influential living psychologists looks at the history of his life and discipline, and paints a much brighter future for everyone. When Martin E. P. Seligman first encountered psychology in the 1960s, the field was devoted to eliminating misery: it was the science of how past trauma creates present symptoms. Today, thanks in large part to Seligman's Positive Psychology movement, it is ever more focused not on what cripples life, but on what makes life worth living -- with profound consequences for our mental health. In this wise and eloquent memoir, spanning the most transformative years in the history of modern psychology, Seligman recounts how he learned to study optimism -- including a life-changing conversation with his five-year-old daughter. He tells the human stories behind some of his major findings, like CAVE, an analytical tool that predicts election outcomes (with shocking accuracy) based on the language used in campaign speeches, the international spread of Positive Education, the launch of the US Army's huge resilience program, and the canonical studies that birthed the theory of learned helplessness -- which he now reveals was incorrect. And he writes at length for the first time about his own battles with depression at a young age. In The Hope Circuit, Seligman makes a compelling and deeply personal case for the importance of virtues like hope, gratitude, and wisdom for our mental health. You will walk away from this book not just educated but deeply enriched. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Positive Psychology in Practice P. Alex Linley, Stephen Joseph, 2012-06-27 A thorough and up-to-date guide to putting positive psychology into practice From the Foreword: This volume is the cutting edge of positive psychology and the emblem of its future. -Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph.D., Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, and author of Authentic Happiness Positive psychology is an exciting new orientation in the field, going beyond psychology's traditional focus on illness and pathology to look at areas like well-being and fulfillment. While the larger question of optimal human functioning is hardly new - Aristotle addressed it in his treatises on eudaimonia - positive psychology offers a common language on this subject to professionals working in a variety of subdisciplines and practices. Applicable in many settings and relevant for individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and societies, positive psychology is a genuinely integrative approach to professional practice. Positive Psychology in Practice fills the need for a broad, comprehensive, and state-of-the-art reference for this burgeoning new perspective. Cutting across traditional lines of thinking in psychology, this resource bridges theory, research, and applications to offer valuable information to a wide range of professionals and students in the social and behavioral sciences. A group of major international contributors covers: The applied positive psychology perspective Historical and philosophical foundations Values and choices in pursuit of the good life Lifestyle practices for health and well-being Methods and processes for teaching and learning Positive psychology at work The best and most thorough treatment of this cutting-edge discipline, Positive Psychology in Practice is an essential resource for understanding this important new theory and applying its principles to all areas of professional practice. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Life's Great Question Tom Rath, 2020-02-04 Life is not what you get out of it . . . it’s what you put back in. Yet our current means for summarizing life’s work, from resumes to salaries, are devoid of what matters most. This is why the work we do is often bad for our wellbeing, when it should be making us happier and healthier. What are the most meaningful contributions we can make? This is Life’s Great Question. Life is about what you do that improves the world around you. It is about investing in the development of other people. And it is about efforts that will continue to grow when you are gone. Life’s Great Question will show you how to make your work and life more meaningful, and greatly boost your wellbeing. In this remarkably quick read, author Tom Rath describes how finding your greatest contribution is far more effective than following talent or passion alone. More than a book, each copy includes a code for an online program that identifies the most significant contributions you can make. This deeply practical book will alter how you look at your work and change the way you live each day. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Strengths Based Leadership Tom Rath, Barry Conchie, 2008 From the authors of the bestselling StrengthsFinder 2.0 comes a landmark study of great leaders, teams, and the reasons why people follow them. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Authentic Happiness Martin E. P. Seligman, 2011-05-02 From the author of the international bestseller, Learned Optimism, comes a ground-breaking look at the nature of happiness and how everyone has the power to inject real joy into their lives. Martin E. Seligman is the international leader of the Positive Psychology Movement. His first trade book, the international bestseller Learned Optimism, greatly influenced the way people thought about mental health by bringing the concepts of cognitive psychology to a mass audience. Authentic Happiness is an even bigger ground-breaker. It represents the first time any scientist has placed value in the study not only of mental illness, but of 'mental wellness.' It's not about curing one's ills, but about exercising one's strengths and virtues in order to achieve what Seligman terms 'authentic happiness.' The life-changing lesson of Authentic Happiness is that, by assessing the very best in ourselves, we can improve the world around us and achieve new and lasting levels of genuine contentment and joy. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: A Psychology of Human Strengths Lisa G. Aspinwall, Ursula M. Staudinger, 2003 In an era of vaccinations, angioplasty, and gene therapy, is there any need for behavioral change in improving health? Is the role of the clinical, counseling, and health psychologist becoming obsolete? Quite the contrary. As Margaret A. Chesney and Michael H. Antoni demonstrate in Innovative Approaches to Health Psychology, the opportunity for clinical, counseling, and health psychologists to increase the scope of their practice and their contribution to research is more vital than ever. As medicine advances, risky behaviors rise, as does noncompliance with medical regimens and the incidence of more drug-resistant strains of viruses. This fascinating book demonstrates how health psychology has risen to the challenge to find new ways to reach and treat at-risk populations. Using their experiences in responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis over nearly two decades, leading experts in health psychology and clinical psychology illustrate how they identified avenues for intervention and new targets for behavior change and designed new methods to address critical problems. Each chapter presents the theoretical rationale for a host of strategies, empirical validation for the effectiveness with a specific population or presenting problem, and step-by-step procedures for implementation. Experts demonstrate how basic behavioral science principles were used to develop interventions to assist individuals, families, small groups, and communities. They also share valuable lessons in treating chronic pain, sleep disturbance, noncompliance with complex medical regimens, and the miracle cure/quick fix mentality. They describe their successes in tailoring interventions to specific risk populations, such as adolescents, pregnant women, African American women, gay men, and IV drug users. These findings are invaluable in addressing a range of public health concerns, from sexually transmitted diseases to coping with chronic disease. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: The Four Tendencies Gretchen Rubin, 2017-09-12 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Are you an Upholder, a Questioner, an Obliger, or a Rebel? From the author of Better Than Before and The Happiness Project comes a groundbreaking analysis of personality type that “will immediately improve every area of your life” (Melissa Urban, co-founder of the Whole30). During her multibook investigation into human nature, Gretchen Rubin realized that by asking the seemingly dry question “How do I respond to expectations?” we gain explosive self-knowledge. She discovered that based on their answer, people fit into Four Tendencies: • Upholders meet outer and inner expectations readily. “Discipline is my freedom.” • Questioners meet inner expectations, but meet outer expectations only if they make sense. “If you convince me why, I’ll comply.” • Obligers (the largest Tendency) meet outer expectations, but struggle to meet inner expectations—therefore, they need outer accountability to meet inner expectations. “You can count on me, and I’m counting on you to count on me.” • Rebels (the smallest group) resist all expectations, outer and inner alike. They do what they choose to do, when they choose to do it, and typically they don’t tell themselves what to do. “You can’t make me, and neither can I.” Our Tendency shapes every aspect of our behavior, so using this framework allows us to make better decisions, meet deadlines, suffer less stress, and engage more effectively. It’s far easier to succeed when you know what works for you. With sharp insight, compelling research, and hilarious examples, The Four Tendencies will help you get happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: The Happy Lawyer Nancy Levit, Douglas O. Linder, 2010-07-30 You get good grades in college, pay a small fortune to put yourself through law school, study hard to pass the bar exam, and finally land a high-paying job in a prestigious firm. You're happy, right? Not really. Oh, it beats laying asphalt, but after all your hard work, you expected more from your job. What gives? The Happy Lawyer examines the causes of dissatisfaction among lawyers, and then charts possible paths to happier and more fulfilling careers in law. Eschewing a one-size-fits-all approach, it shows how maximizing our chances for achieving happiness depends on understanding our own personality types, values, strengths, and interests. Covering everything from brain chemistry and the science of happiness to the workings of the modern law firm, Nancy Levit and Doug Linder provide invaluable insights for both aspiring and working lawyers. For law students, they offer surprising suggestions for selecting a law school that maximizes your long-term happiness prospects. For those about to embark on a legal career, they tell you what happiness research says about which potential jobs hold the most promise. For working lawyers, they offer a handy toolbox--a set of easily understandable steps--that can boost career happiness. Finally, for firm managers, they offer a range of approaches for remaking a firm into a more satisfying workplace. Read this book and you will know whether you are more likely to be a happy lawyer at age 30 or age 60, why you can tell a lot about a firm from looking at its walls and windows, whether a 10 percent raise or a new office with a view does more for your happiness, and whether the happiness prospects are better in large or small firms. No book can guarantee a happier career, but for lawyers of all ages and stripes, The Happy Lawyer may give you your best shot. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Tools for Strengths-Based Assessment and Evaluation Catherine A. Simmons, Peter Lehmann, 2012-11-08 Print+CourseSmart |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Positive Psychology: Theory, Research And Applications Hefferon, Kate, Boniwell, Ilona, 2011-05-01 Kate Hefferon and Ilona Boniwell have done an excellent job on this introduction to Positive Psychology! I encourage educators, students and everyone else interested in an updated, well-written and culturally balanced approach to the scientific study of human flourishing, to read this highly accessible, yet rigorously crafted text; and to get it under your skin by ways of carefully chosen tests and exercises. Hans Henrik Knoop, Aarhus University, Denmark and President, European Network for Positive Psychology This accessible, yet comprehensive, book provides an excellent new resource in the area of positive psychology. Students, researchers and practitioners alike will benefit from the skilful and lively integration of theory, research and application. The authors are prominent members of the international positive psychology movement and as such are able to deliver a confident, practical and overarching assessment of the area, integrated into psychology more widely. Angela Clow, University of Westminster, UK This is an exceptional book that synthesizes more than a decade of positive psychology research into chapters that are engaging, accessible, and educational. Hefferon and Boniwell demonstrate a mastery of the literature through the ways in which they have marshaled the evidence from research and practice into this invaluable resource. This book will become an essential reference guide for researchers, educators and practitioners of positive psychology around the world. Professor Alex Linley, Founding Director, Capp This book is a valuable resource for students looking for an introduction to Positive Psychology, but also wanting to get a comprehensive and updated overview of this innovative approach to the study of human behaviour and experience. It provides a broad coverage of the most relevant theories and constructs developed within Positive Psychology, and of their relevance for intervention and application in the most diverse life domains. Hefferon and Boniwell use a rigorous though accessible and friendly style of presentation. By means of effective learning supports, they stimulate readers' active engagement in critical reflections on each topic. The authors address the several issues and open questions which still characterize Positive Psychology as a relatively recent domain through a balanced and objective approach. Antonella Delle Fave, University of Milano, Italy Kate Hefferon and Ilona Boniwell have produced the first textbook which has set out purposefully to support students and teachers in higher education in the exciting new area of positive psychology. The authors have experience of teaching the lectures described in each chapter and the book is written in a way that students will find engaging and fun. Each chapter has clear learning objectives, mock essay questions, measurement tools, summaries and a guide to further resources. The content has been well researched and the early chapters cover the main concepts of positive psychology such as emotions, happiness, wellbeing, optimism, and resilience. The later chapters are more novel and cover interventions and applications all with a critical eye. Of particular note is the chapter on the body in positive psychology - a topic which is frequently omitted from the 'thoughts and feelings' approach of other texts in this area. I would strongly recommend this book to all students and teachers of psychology. Nanette Mutrie, Professor of Exercise and Sport Psychology, Strathclyde University, UK Discover the latest research findings and thinking on the topics of happiness, flow, optimism, motivation, character strengths, love and more! Find out how happiness levels can be increased, what stops us from flourishing and how positive psychology can be applied to many professional disciplines. This new textbook combines a breadth of information about positive psychology with reflective questions, critical commentary and up to date research. It is written in a witty, engaging and contemporary manner and includes: Personal development exercises to help you meld together research and application Mock essay questions to get essay writing going Think about it boxes to get you thinking about the concepts and theories discussed Experiments boxes giving you most influential positive psychology experiments to date Suggested resources guiding you where to go next Measurement tools presenting popular positive psychology tools Time out boxes on key issues, concepts and thinkers Chapter summaries to help you check their understanding Review questions to enhance your learning Positive Psychology is key reading for students taking modules in positive psychology and well-being, and will also be of interest to students of applied, coaching and sports psychology, as well as psychologists, coaches, counsellors and researchers interested in this burgeoning field. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements Tom Rath, James K. Harter, 2010-05-04 Shows the interconnections among the elements of well-being, how they cannot be considered independently, and provides readers with a research-based approach to improving all aspects of their lives. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Character Strengths Interventions Ryan M. Niemiec, 2018-06-25 The definitive, practical handbook on positive psychology and character strengths for practitioners working in coaching, psychology, education, and business – start using strengths today! This book is the epitome of positive psychology: it takes the backbone of positive psychology – character strengths – and builds a substantive bridge between the science and practice. Working with client's (and our own) character strengths boosts well-being, fosters resilience, improves relationships, and creates strong, supportive cultures in our practices, classrooms, and organizations. This unique guide brings together the vast experience of the author with the science and the practice of positive psychology in such a way that both new and experienced practitioners will benefit. New practitioners will learn about the core concepts of character and signature strengths and how to fine-tune their approach and troubleshoot. Experienced practitioners will deepen their knowledge about advanced topics such as strengths overuse and collisions, hot button issues, morality, and integrating strengths with savoring, flow, and mindfulness. Hands-on practitioner tips throughout the book provide valuable hints on how to take a truly strengths-based approach. The 24 summary sheets spotlighting each of the universal character strengths are an indispensable resource for client sessions, succinctly summarizing the core features of and research on each strength. 70 evidence-based step-by-step activity handouts can be given to clients to help them develop character strengths awareness and use, increase resilience, set and meet goals, develop positive relationships, and find meaning and engagement in their daily lives. No matter what kind of practitioner you are, this one-of-a-kind field-guide is a goldmine in science-based applications. You'll be able to immediately bring the science of well-being into action! |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Research, Applications, and Interventions for Children and Adolescents Carmel Proctor, P. Alex Linley, 2013-05-13 This book presents recent positive psychological research, applications and interventions being used among adolescents and children. Currently there is a wave of change occurring whereby educators, and others working with children and adolescents, are beginning to recognize the benefits of looking at well-being from a positive perspective, specifically the integration of positive psychological theory into the school curriculum in order to improve student well-being. Moreover, although the positive psychological field has grown tremendously since its inception, there remains an imbalance in the publication of research findings, applications, and interventions among children and adolescents in comparison to adults. This book fills the need for a reference to this valuable information and benefits a wide range of professionals, including educators, clinicians, psychologists, students, and many other working with children and adolescents. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Your Strengths Blueprint MS Michelle L McQuaid Mapp, Michelle McQuaid, Erin Lawn, 2014-10-27 Are you ready to make your work just a little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable? Would you like to unleash the potential of the people in your team? Do you want to enhance your business goals of employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and profitability? Then this book is your blueprint to discovering, developing, and delivering on your strengths at work-those things you're good at and actually enjoy doing. With more than a decade of senior leadership experience in organizations around the world, best-selling author Michelle McQuaid and her colleague Erin Lawn share their combined knowledge of applied positive psychology in Your Strengths Blueprint: How to be Engaged, Energized, and Happy at Work, to guide readers on how developing strengths can improve your confidence, wellbeing, and performance at work. With one study finding that using your strengths can boost your happiness more than a $10,000 pay rise, this book will help you to: Explore tested tools to help you discover what your strengths are, including a detailed breakdown on how to use the twenty-four character strengths as outlined in the Values in Action (VIA) Survey at work. Create a step-by-step, busy-proof plan to put your strengths to work each day no matter what your job description says. Embed a strengths-based approach into your organization with templates for recruitment, performance management, and performance reviews. Now is the time to strive for a strengths-fueled future. Discover how to nurture your strengths and unleash your inner potential to find new and exciting pathways at work. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Character Strengths Matter Shannon Polly, Kathryn Britton, 2015-06-07 What are the elements of good character? The Values in Action (VIA) project identified 24 qualities such as creative, authentic, loving, forgiving, kind, persistent, prudent, and brave, calling them character strengths. Character strengths are elements of good character valued across time and around the world. If you are curious about your own strengths, join the 3 million people that have taken the free online survey at www.viacharacter.org. Character Strengths Matter: How to Live a Full Life brings the 24 character strengths to life with stories involving children, teenagers, adults, and elders and occurring in family life and business settings, in the present and in the distant past, in locations from China to the United States to the Middle East. Research shows that using character strengths in new ways for a week makes people happier up to six months later. This book includes many ideas for using your character strengths in new ways. Based on the unusual premise that a key way to build strength is to act 'as if' you have that strength already, this book includes short passages to read aloud to try on particular character strengths. This concept is well known to actors and elite athletes, but less well known to the rest of the world. Look inside the book to see whose words are used to embody hope, gratitude, leadership, creativity, kindness, love and all the rest. More than 30 authors contributed stories to this book, including George Vaillant, the 35-year director of Harvard's Study of Adult Development. Many leaders in the positive psychology field endorse the book, including the 'father of positive psychology' Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman. He writes: My friend, Chris Peterson, would have loved this book. It brings to life with personal stories, practical recommendations, wisdom, and humor the dry scholarship that he (with an assist from me) did in Character Strengths and Virtues. Chris was very down-to-earth and I am sure he would have concurred in my enthusiastically recommending this book to everyone who works with character strengths in the real world. Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness and Flourish Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to a scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania in honor of the lead researcher of character strengths, the late Christopher Peterson. This scholarship supports the education of future practitioners of positive psychology. This is the third book in the Positive Psychology News series, joining Resilience: How to Navigate Life's Curves and Gratitude: How to Appreciate Life's Gifts. Bottom line, this book is bound to make you learn something new, be inspired about humanity and have a chance to play with character strengths. This book will make you happier. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology and Work P. Alex Linley, Susan Harrington, Nicola Garcea, 2010 This volume examines what positive psychology offers to our understanding of key issues in working life today. The chapters focus on such topics as strengths, leadership, human resource management, employee engagement, communications, well-being, and work-life balance. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Find Your Strongest Life Marcus Buckingham, 2009-09-29 |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Centered Leadership Joanna Barsh, Johanne Lavoie, 2014-03-18 What enables some talented people to rise to the top and live their full ambitions at work and in life, while others stop short? In 2007, Joanna Barsh led a team at McKinsey & Company to answer that very question. In the process, they uncovered what distinguishes leaders who are successful from those who achieve true greatness, developing an approach called Centered Leadership. They drew on research from across the academic fields of leadership, organization behavior, neuroscience, evolutionary psychology and positive psychology. In addition, Barsh interviewed over 160 leaders from many fields – including business, government and the arts – and from many countries. With quantitative research, the team learned that these leaders have mastered practices to find their balance in the midst of chaos and lead from their most resourceful selves, unleashing the potential of others. In 2009, Johanne Lavoie joined to lead development of programs that help executives build these capabilities. Their research and development work continues as more and more leaders experience Centered Leadership. In the business bestseller, How Remarkable Women Lead, Barsh described Centered Leadership’s five capabilities and the research that underpins it. Here, with colleague Johanne Lavoie, Barsh provides a practical, actionable field guide for implementation. In Centered Leadership, Barsh and Lavoie will guide you through the Centered Leadership program. You’ll find the interactive tools, exercises, and practices that have helped the men and women participants in Centered Leadership programs gain the skills, courage and confidence to lead. And, along the way, you’ll read inspiring stories of remarkable men and women leaders who demonstrate the power of these skills in action. Those early in their careers will learn how to use these skills to explore their passions and accelerate their professional development. Those forming families will be able to use them to reconcile manage work and life to get the most out of both. And those who have already achieved success will be able use these practices to reach their next leadership horizon. No matter what stage you are currently at in your career, or what level of leadership you aspire to, this book will equip you with the tools to unlock your own Centered Leader and achieve more positive impact at work and outside it. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: The Motivation Code Todd Henry, Rod Penner, Todd W. Hall, Joshua Miller, 2020-10-06 From the author of Die Empty and The Accidental Creative, a new framework for understanding what motivates us and why. What drives us to unleash our best work? And how do we tap into that drive to get superior results with our managers, coworkers, and direct reports? As Todd Henry reveals in this illuminating book, drawing on decades of research and interviews with over 100,000 people, the answer is not one size fits all: some people are energized by a race against the clock, while others put in extra effort only when they feel part of a team. For still others, nothing is as motivating as the possibility of public recognition. Henry shows, in fact, that there are twenty-seven motivational themes”, each with its own unique DNA. For instance: · Those driven to Achieve Potential strive to build an ideal future, even when others may not see as far ahead. · Those needing to Overcome must conquer whatever obstacles come their way, no matter how difficult or time-consuming. · Those who strive to Comprehend and Express are obsessed with mastering new skills and showing off what they know--which is often a lot. · Those who want to Make It Right thrive when systems are running smoothly and usually know the proper way to do things. The Motivation Code teaches us to decode our Core Motivation so that we can have conversations, make decisions, and even choose career paths that lead us to experience engagement and fulfillment. Once we know how to activate our inner drivers, we can transform the work we do into work we love. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Teach With Your Strengths Rosanne Liesveld, Jo Ann Miller, Jennifer Robison, 2005-10 In Teach With Your Strengths, you'll hear from great teachers, many of whom reveal their unorthodox - and sure to be controversial - approaches. You'll gain key insights gleaned from 40 years of research into great teaching. And, you'll take an online assessment that reveals your Signature Themes of talent. As you read this book, you'll discover your own innate talents as a teacher. And you'll learn how to liberate those talents to inspire the next generation of students.--BOOK JACKET. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: 5 Voices Jeremie Kubicek, Steve Cockram, 2016-02-11 Discover your leadership voice and unlock your potential to influence others 5 Voices is the code for unlocking your capacity to have honest conversations and build deeper, more authentic relationships with your teams, your families and your friends. In order to lead others effectively, we need a true understanding of ourselves, our natural tendencies and patterns of behavior. In learning what your leadership voice sounds like to others, you will discover what it feels like to be on the other side of your personality, as well as how to hear and value others' voices, namely the Pioneer, the Connector, the Creative, the Guardian, and the Nurturer. Once you understand your own leadership voice, you'll discover how best to communicate with each of the other voices, which will transform your communication at every level of relationship, both personal and professional. In mastering the 5 Voices of leadership, you will increase your emotional intelligence, allowing you to gain a competitive advantage as a leader. You will also be equipped with a simple, easy to remember vocabulary that, when shared, has a track record for decreasing the drama, misunderstanding and miscommunication in all spheres of influence. Are you focused on relationships, values, and people? Or are you oriented more toward tradition, money, and resources? Do you know how others hear your voice? Do you appreciate the contributions of others on your team? This book will help you identify your natural leadership style, and give you a framework for leveraging your strengths. Find your foundational leadership voice Learn to hear and value the voices of others Know yourself before leading others Connect and communicate well with team, family and friends All five leadership voices come with their own particular set of strengths, and all have areas for growth. Understanding both sides of the equation is the key to taking your leadership to the next level and is the secret to increasing your ability to influence your team, family and friends. 5 Voices is a simple key which unlocks complicated relational dynamics and improves the health and alignment of all your relationships. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Positive Intelligence Shirzad Chamine, 2012 Chamine exposes how your mind is sabotaging you and keeping your from achieving your true potential. He shows you how to take concrete steps to unleash the vast, untapped powers of your mind. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Business Chemistry Kim Christfort, Suzanne Vickberg, 2018-05-22 A guide to putting cognitive diversity to work Ever wonder what it is that makes two people click or clash? Or why some groups excel while others fumble? Or how you, as a leader, can make or break team potential? Business Chemistry holds the answers. Based on extensive research and analytics, plus years of proven success in the field, the Business Chemistry framework provides a simple yet powerful way to identify meaningful differences between people’s working styles. Who seeks possibilities and who seeks stability? Who values challenge and who values connection? Business Chemistry will help you grasp where others are coming from, appreciate the value they bring, and determine what they need in order to excel. It offers practical ways to be more effective as an individual and as a leader. Imagine you had a more in-depth understanding of yourself and why you thrive in some work environments and flounder in others. Suppose you had a clearer view on what to do about it so that you could always perform at your best. Imagine you had more insight into what makes people tick and what ticks them off, how some interactions unlock potential while others shut people down. Suppose you could gain people’s trust, influence them, motivate them, and get the very most out of your work relationships. Imagine you knew how to create a work environment where all types of people excel, even if they have conflicting perspectives, preferences and needs. Suppose you could activate the potential benefits of diversity on your teams and in your organizations, improving collaboration to achieve the group’s collective potential. Business Chemistry offers all of this--you don’t have to leave it up to chance, and you shouldn’t. Let this book guide you in creating great chemistry! |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: The Executive and the Elephant Richard L. Daft, 2010-07-06 Lessons for leaders on resolving the ongoing struggle between instinct and the creative mind Kings, heads of government, and corporate executives lead thousands of people and manage endless resources, but may not have mastery over themselves. Often leaders know that right action is important, but have little (if any) understanding of what prevents them from acting in accordance with their intentions. In this important book, leadership expert Richard Daft portrays this dilemma as a struggle between instinct (elephant) and intention (the executive) using the most current research on the intentional vs. the habitual mind to explain how this phenomenon occurs. Based on current research and real-life examples Offers leaders a method for directing themselves more productively Written by an expert in leadership, organizational performance, and change management Through real-life examples and recent studies in psychology, management and Eastern spirituality Daft provides guidance to all of us who struggle finding our own balance and cultivating the behavior of others. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Tao of Positive Psychology Mark Kelland, Mark Kelland, Ph.d., 2017-06-06 This book is the print version of an open educational textbook for positive psychology. It includes the author's personal journal while preparing for and then undertaking this project. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Now, Discover Your Strengths Marcus Buckingham, Donald O. Clifton, 2001-01-29 The 20th anniversary edition of Now, Discover Your Strengths comes with an access code to the Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment. This updated assessment includes reports and resources that go far beyond the standardized reports of the older assessment by providing you with personalized insight statements unique to your specific combination of strengths. The original publication of Now, Discover Your Strengths in 2001 launched a worldwide strengths revolution. To date, more than 20 million people have discovered their strengths, and tens of thousands more are discovering theirs every week. Gallup Press has published numerous strengths-based books, and Gallup Strengths Center has become a worldwide destination for strengths-based development. Since the book's release, Gallup has continued to dedicate countless hours to developing our strengths science, the brainchild of the late Dr. Donald O. Clifton, who was named Father of Strengths-Based Psychology by the American Psychological Association. Part of that investment resulted in Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0 -- a refined upgrade of the original assessment for discovering your strengths. To ensure that you have the best possible experience in discovering and developing your strengths, we have made Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0 available to those who purchase the 20th anniversary edition of Now, Discover Your Strengths. The updated assessment includes new reports and resources, including the Strengths Insight and Action-Planning Guide. This guide goes far beyond the standardized reports of the older assessment by providing you with personalized insight statements unique to your specific combination of strengths. These highly customized Strengths Insights are an in-depth analysis of your top five strengths. They describe who you are in astonishing detail and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of yourself, your strengths and what makes you stand out. These updated resources, in combination with the 20th anniversary edition of Now, Discover Your Strengths, give you the best opportunity to soar with your strengths -- at work and in your life. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Positive Psychology in the Elementary School Classroom Patty O'Grady, 2013-03-11 Use the neuroscience of emotional learning to transform your teaching. How can the latest breakthroughs in the neuroscience of emotional learning transform the classroom? How can teachers use the principles and practices of positive psychology to ensure optimal 21st-century learning experiences for all children? Patty O’Grady answers those questions. Positive Psychology in the Elementary School Classroom presents the basics of positive psychology to educators and provides interactive resources to enrich teachers’ proficiency when using positive psychology in the classroom. O’Grady underlines the importance of teaching the whole child: encouraging social awareness and positive relationships, fostering self-motivation, and emphasizing social and emotional learning. Through the use of positive psychology in the classroom, children can learn to be more emotionally aware of their own and others’ feelings, use their strengths to engage academically and socially, pursue meaningful lives, and accomplish their personal goals. The book begins with Martin Seligman’s positive psychology principles, and continues into an overview of affective learning, including its philosophical and psychological roots, from finding the “golden mean” of emotional regulation to finding a child’s potencies and “golden self.” O’Grady connects the core concepts of educational neuroscience to the principles of positive psychology, explaining how feelings permeate the brain, affecting children’s thoughts and actions; how insular neurons make us feel empathy and help us learn by observation; and how the frontal cortex is the hall monitor of the brain. The book is full of practical examples and interactive resources that invite every educator to create a positive psychology classroom, where children can flourish and reach their full potential. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Back from the Brink Graeme Cowan, 2014-01-02 On July 24th, 2004, author Graeme Cowan took pen to paper and said goodbye to his family. “I just can’t be a burden any longer,” he wrote. After four failed suicide attempts, and a five-year episode of depression that his psychiatrist described as the worst he had ever treated, Cowan set out on a difficult journey back from the brink. Since then, he has dedicated his life to helping others struggling with depression and bipolar disorder—and that is how this book came to be. If you have severe depression or bipolar disorder, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Featuring interviews with people from of all walks of life, Back from the Brink is filled with real stories of hope and healing, information about treatment options and medication, and tools for putting what you've learned into practice. If you are ready to put one foot in front of the other and finally set out on the path to recovery, the powerful stories in this book will inform and inspire you to make lasting change. If you have severe depression or bipolar disorder, you may find it difficult to take that first step toward recovery. You aren’t alone. In our society, many people with depression or bipolar disorder do not seek therapy or medical treatment due to the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Even people in “progressive” communities may not want to admit that they are on antidepressants or mood-balancing medications. Isn’t it time we changed the way we thought about these illnesses? The book includes a special foreword by actress Glenn Close, and features in-depth interviews with former US Representative Patrick Kennedy; television talk-show host Trisha Goddard; director of public policy at Google, Bob Boorstin; former chief advisor to Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell; former tennis pro, Cliff Richey; former professional football player, Greg Montgomery; and many more. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Positive Psychology William C. Compton, Edward Hoffman, 2019-01-09 Topically organized, Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Flourishing presents a highly engaging, up-to-date introduction to positive psychology. Authors William C. Compton and Edward Hoffman invite students to apply practices to their own lives, contexts, and experiences to ensure understanding. The text examines how positive psychology applies to stressors and health within such traditional research areas as developmental, clinical, personality, motivational, social, and behavioral psychology. Furthermore, the text offers perspectives on positive emotional states, research and theory on positive traits, coverage of positive institutions, and a look at the future of positive psychology. The Third Edition reflects significant growth in field with hundreds of new references and expanded content on topics including mindfulness, money and subjective well-being, and romantic love. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: 2 Billion Under 20 Stacey Ferreira, Jared Kleinert, 2015-07-28 An exciting look at 75 contributors under age 20 who have done remarkable things, from entrepreneurship to athletics to music and more. Welcome to the future! 2 Billion Under 20 is a book, online community, and movement inspired by the 2 billion people in the world currently at or under the age of twenty. We stand for Millennials, Gen Z'ers, and those who want to better understand them and their unique potential. This book shows how we can all act on our passions and make a difference at any age. Young entrepreneurs Stacey Ferreira and Jared Kleinert have brought together 75 stories from ambitious young people like Paige McKenzie, who started her own YouTube channel at sixteen that now has more than 55 million views; Sam Mikulak, who's represented Team USA in the Olympics and is a seven-time NCAA champion in Men's Gymnastics; Jack Andraka, who developed an early detection test for pancreatic cancer at fifteen; Tallia Storm, a Scottish singer who was discovered by and opened a concert for Elton John, on her way to signing a record deal with Virgin Records; Dau Jok, who escaped civil war in South Sudan to become captain of the University of Pennsylvania's Division 1 basketball team and founder of a nonprofit to help youth in his native country, and many other accomplished and inspiring Millennials from all walks of life. Join the movement and change the world! |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: StrengthsQuest Donald O. Clifton, Edward "Chip" Anderson, 2016-01-01 Students who use their natural talents achieve the most --- but they need to know what those talents are. StrengthsQuest includes the Clifton StrengthsFinder, an online assessment that reveals students’ top five themes of talent. And StrengthsQuest also helps students make the most of those talents. Students and learners of all ages continually face the challenges of gaining direction, making decisions, and building self-confidence. Fortunately, the keys to successfully meeting these challenges — your own natural talents — already exist within you. Through these talents, you will produce your greatest achievements. Over the course of 30 years, Gallup conducted millions of psychological interviews and identified 34 themes of talent that are indicative of success. In the StrengthsQuest program, Gallup offers you the opportunity to discover talents from your top five themes and build on them to achieve academic, career, and personal excellence. More than 100,000 students have benefited from the program. Your quest starts with the Clifton StrengthsFinder, a 30-minute assessment that reveals your top five themes of talent. This online assessment is your entryway to a variety of experiences that will help you discover your greatest talents and develop strengths. You’ll gain access to action items specific to your top themes, covering general academic life, study habits, relationships, and career. You’ll also be challenged to think about applying your talents for success in other settings, such as on projects and teams and in leadership. StrengthsQuest was written by the late Donald O. Clifton, who was the former chairman of Gallup; coauthor of the bestseller Now, Discover Your Strengths; and recognized as the Father of Strengths-Based Psychology and the late Edward “Chip” Anderson, who taught education, psychology, and leadership at UCLA and Azusa Pacific University. Revised portions of the text were written by Laurie A. Schreiner, who has taught psychology and higher education at Azusa Pacific University and Eastern University. Your quest starts with the Clifton StrengthsFinder, a 30-minute assessment that reveals your top five themes of talent. This online assessment is your entryway to a variety of experiences that will help you discover your greatest talents and develop strengths. You’ll gain access to action items specific to your top themes, covering general academic life, study habits, relationships, and career. You’ll also be challenged to think about applying your talents for success in other settings, such as on projects and teams, and in leadership. StrengthsQuest was written by the late Donald O. Clifton, former chairman of Gallup, coauthor of the bestseller Now, Discover Your Strengths, and recognized as the Father of Strengths-Based Psychology and the late Edward “Chip” Anderson, who taught education, psychology, and leadership at UCLA and Azusa Pacific University. Revised portions of the text were written by Laurie A. Schreiner, who has taught psychology and higher education at Azusa Pacific University and Eastern University. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Living Your Strengths Don Clifton, Albert L. Winseman, Curt Liesveld, 2004-10-10 Living Your Strengths shows readers how to use their innate gifts to enrichtheir faith communities, how to identify and affirm their talents, and how touse them for growth and service. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Positive Psychology Coaching in Practice Suzy Green, Stephen Palmer, 2018-07-17 Positive Psychology Coaching in Practice provides a comprehensive overview of positive psychology coaching, bringing together the best of science and practice, highlighting current research, and emphasising the applicability of each element to coaching. With an international range of contributors, this book is a unique resource for those seeking to integrate positive psychology into their evidence-based coaching practice. Beginning with an overview of positive psychology coaching, the book includes an assessment of theories of wellbeing, an examination of mindfulness research, a guide to relevant neuroscience, and a review of a strengths-based approach. It also contains chapters which explore the application of ACT, the role of positive psychology in wellness and resilience coaching, positive leadership theory, and developmental psychological theories as they relate to coaching through significant life transitions. In each chapter, theory and research is thoroughly explored and applied directly to coaching practice, and supported with a list of relevant resources and a case study. The book concludes with the editors’ views on the future directions of positive psychology coaching. Positive Psychology Coaching in Practice will be essential reading for professional coaches in practice and in training seeking to enhance their evidence-based practice, coaching psychologists, practitioners of positive psychology, and academics and students of coaching, coaching psychology and positive psychology. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Organizational Physics - The Science of Growing a Business Lex Sisney, 2013-03-01 There are hidden laws at work in every aspect of your business. Understand them, and you can create extraordinary growth. Ignore them, and you run the risk of becoming another statistic. It's become almost cliche: 8 out of every 10 new ventures fail. Of the ones that succeed, how many truly thrive-for the long run? And of those that thrive, how many continually overcome their growth hurdles ... and ultimately scale, with meaning, purpose, and profitability? The answer, sadly, is not many. Author Lex Sisney is on a mission to change that picture. After more than a decade spent leading and coaching high-growth technology companies, Lex discovered that the companies that thrive do so in accordance with 6 Laws - universal principles that govern the success or failure of every individual, team, and organization. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Recruitment and Selection Carrie A. Picardi, 2019-03-13 The workforce is changing and talent management is more important than ever. Recruitment and Selection: Strategies for Workforce Planning & Assessment unpacks best practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating strategies for hiring the right people. Using a proven job analysis framework, author Carrie A. Picardi uses her academic and industry experience to teach students how to assess candidates in an accurate, legal, and ethical manner. With clarity and relevance, this book truly bridges theory and concept with practice in an engaging manner and will benefit students who need to hit the ground running to successfully manage workforce needs and activities in a myriad professional settings. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: The One Thing You Need to Know Marcus Buckingham, 2008-09-04 Drawing on a wide body of research, including extensive in-depth interviews, THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW reveals the central insights that lie at the core of: Great Managing, Great Leadership and Great Careers. Buckingham uses a wealth of relevant examples to reveal that at the heart of each insight lies a controlling insight. Lose sight of this 'one thing' and all of your best efforts at managing, leading, or individual achievement will be diminished. For great managing, the controlling insight has less to do with fairness, or team building, or clear expectations (although all are important). Rather, the one thing great managers know is the need to discover and then capitalize on what is unique about each person. For leadership, the controlling insight is the opposite - discover and capitalize on what is universal to all your people, regardless of differences in personality, race, sex, or age. For sustained individual success, the controlling insight is the need to discover what you don't like doing, and know how and when to stop doing it. In every way a groundbreaking work, THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW offers crucial performance and career lessons for business people at every level. |
authentichappinessorg strengthsfinder test: Passion for Work Robert J. Vallerand, Nathalie Houlfort, 2019 This volume provides a comprehensive understanding of passion for work by addressing the origin of the concept and its theoretical issues: how can passion for work be developed, what are the consequences to be expected at the individual and organizational levels, and how can passion for work shed new light on contemporary issues in the workplace. |