This document is a workbook from an HVRP retreat on character strengths. It contains exercises for participants to reflect on character strengths demonstrated in a movie, identify their own top strengths and one to build, recognize strengths in others, and think about how to apply strengths in their roles at HVRP. The two most valued character strengths in HVRP culture are identified as perseverance and kindness. Participants are asked to work through self-reflection and discussion with others to understand strengths and how they can use them to improve themselves and support others.

1. Strengths Workbook
HVRP Retreat 2014
Disclaimer:we donotexpectthistobe all filledoutandhave answerstoeverything.Thisisafollow alongactivity
workbookforyournotesand somethingtotake withyouas a resource. DONOT FREAKOUT !

2. Objective 1: What did you getfrom the movie and what does HVRP Culture value?
We talk a lot about how to help residents make changes in their lives. Sometimes we
forget that the same types of things we ask residents to do apply to us too! We want
to take some time to think about the film you just saw. This will help to solidify
understanding of the film content and then we will be doing activities and group
discussion to further understand character strengths and how you can use them in
your life at HVRP.
What are the important messages you got from this video?
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Different cultures value different character strengths. In the culture of HVRP,
what are the 2 most valued character strengths?
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Why are these character strengths valued?
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3. Objective 2: What are your top strengthsand one to build?What are the top strengthsat HVRP?
STRENGTHS EXPLORATION
We want to do an activity with everyone. You all have a set of cards that describe the
character strengths discussed in the movie. On the front of the card is the strength and on
the back is a definition.
Step 1. Look through the cards and take time to pick your top 10 character
strengths.
1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. __________________________
5. __________________________
6. __________________________
7. __________________________
8. __________________________
9. __________________________
10. _________________________
Step 2. Now, out of those 10 strengths pick your top 3.
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
Now out of the other cards you have left…pick the one strength you want to build.
1. ____________________________
Let’s talk a bit about what your strengths are and the one you want to work on (group
discussionand sharing).
Notes:

4. Objective 3: How can we notice and support strengths in others?
Noticing other peoples strengths
One of the important messages of the film was that we can recognize and help build
character strengths in those around us.
Step 1. Pair up with someone you might not interact with as much at work. Using your
cards, choose the top 3 characterstrengths of the other person. Take time to really think
about it. What have you noticed about that person?
1. ___________________________
2. ___________________________
3. ___________________________
Now, discuss togetherhow the strengths are similar and/or different from the strengths
you chose foryourself.
What does this tell you about how you come across in your role at HVRP?
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How can you help eachother developthe characterstrengths you want to demonstrate in
your role at HVRP? What can you do together, every day, to build eachother’s strengths?
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IS WHAT I AM ABOUT TO DO OR SAY A REFLECTION OF WHO I WANT TO BE
AND THE CHARACTER STRENGTHS I WANT TO DEVELOP?

5. Objective 4: How can we apply strengthsin our roles at HVRP?
Applying Strengths to your role at HVRP
Look back to your Top 3 strengths. How do you use these strengths in your
role at HVRP?
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What are some things you could do that you are not already doing to begin
building your strengths in your role at HVRP?
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Look back at the strength you want to build. What could you do to begin
building this strength in your role at HVRP?
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Group discussion

6. Supplemental Strengths Questions
1. Take a look at the periodic table of character strengths at the bottom of this page. What are your
five strongest character strengths?
2. Take a minute to think about the person you most admire. What are the character strengths that
you admire about them?
3. Notice where your strengths lie. Are they all in one particular area (in, say, the Wisdom or Courage
column) or are they spread out? What do you make of that?
4. How can you use your character strengths to improve your life?
5. How can you use them to improve your community?
6. Now expand the list of your character strengths to twelve and make a pie chart out of them. Which
character strength is your biggest slice? Which is the smallest?
7. The film explores two ideas around character development: first, you should focus on the strengths
you have, and second, develop the strengths you'd like. With that in mind, look back at the table of
character strengths. What are three character strengths you'd like to develop?
8. What are some steps you can take to develop those three character strengths?
9. In their seminal book on character strengths, Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman and
looked for common character strengths through history. Can you think of a historical figure who
demonstrates particular character strength?
10. As the film notes, working on our character strengths has been important since ancient times. Can
you think of any myths that illustrate the importance of particular character strength?
11. Of course, the world has changed a lot since ancient times. What character strengths are most
important in a digital age? How do we demonstrate and develop character strengths online
12. Given that the Web allows a lot of anonymity, and permits people to try on different personas, what
happens to our character when we’re online? Do our character strengths remain constant?
13. The film describes a fixed mindset (when you think you can’t change who you are) and a growth
mindset (when you believe you can change and improve things about yourself). Is there an area in
your life that you have a fixed mindset about, like “I’m no good at sports,” or “I just can’t do math”?
Can you think of a way you can use your character strengths to improve in that area?
14. The film discusses the ways you can develop your character strengths in your day-to-day life. Can
you think of some ways you can develop your character strengths in your online life?

7. 15. The film suggests we can affect other people’s character strengths, too. Do you agree? Can
character be contagious? How?
16. Think about a time when you failed. What happened? How did you feel about it at the time, and
how do you feel about it now?
17. As the film mentions, failure can be a good thing—we learn by failing. Think of an activity you might
fail at the first time but want to try anyway: snowboarding, public speaking, a dance class. What
would it be? What could you learn by failing?
18. FAIL and EPIC FAIL have become Internet memes. How is failing on the Internet different from
failing in real life? Can you learn and develop character strengths from Internet fails, too?
19. If our character strengths and our abilities aren’t fixed, that means we could, potentially, achieve
just about anything. Think really, really big: If you could achieve anything, what would you do?
20. Have you ever tried something that just didn’t feel like “you”? What was it, and why did you feel
that way?
21. The film ends by asking you to complete this sentence: I want to be ____________________.
What do you want to be? What character strengths will help you achieve that, and how will you use
them?