This document provides an overview of the topics covered in Week 10 of a science of coaching course, including character strengths and coaching. The key points are: 1. The agenda covers introducing character strengths, engaging strengths using the VIA survey, and how strengths relate to coaching. 2. The coaching skill featured is applying strengths. 3. Research shows that focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses increases happiness, motivation, and performance. Signature strengths are the top 3-7 strengths that represent someone's authentic self. 4. The Aware-Explore-Apply model provides a framework for developing awareness of one's strengths, exploring how they are used, and taking action to apply them in new ways.

1. Week 10
Science of Coaching
Psychology
coach-facilitated,
self-directed
positiveneuroplasticity
NancyGertz,Lecturer

2. Week
10
Agenda:
Character
Strengths
&
Coaching
1. Intro to Character Strengths
2. Engaging Strengths with VIA
1. Aware
2. Explore
3. Apply
3. Strengths and Coaching
4. Coaching Demonstration

3. Week
10
Coaching
Skill:
Applying
Strengths

4. Coaching
Skills
featured
Weekly
1. Listening
2. Open questions
3. Reflections
4. Compassion
5. Foster positivity
6. Improve readiness to change
7. Mindfulness
8. Generate insight
9. Apply strengths
10. Pathway to hope
11. Formula for thriving
12. Vision to goals
13. Measure outcomes
14. Harvest learning

5. ICF
Coaching
Competencies
A.
Se&ng
the
Founda0on
Ethical
guidelines,
professional
standards,
agreement
B.
Co-­‐crea0ng
the
Rela0onship
Trust,
inBmacy,
presence
C.
Communica0ng
Effec0vely
Listening,
inquiry,
direct
D.
Facilita0ng
Learning
and
Results
Awareness,
plans,
goals,
ac0ons,
progress,
accountability

6. 1. Growth-­‐promoBng
RelaBonships
2. MoBvaBon
3. Capacity
to
Change
4. CreaBvity
5. Process
or
Journey
of
Change
COACHING MECHANISMS OF ACTION
Moore,
Tschannen-­‐Moran:
Coaching
Psychology
Manual.
2nd
EdiBon.
In
press.
LWW.

7. Capacity to Change
§ Leverage strengths
§ Develop supports
§ Experiment
§ Growth mindset
§ Improve self-efficacy

10. Inner Critic is a Weakness Expert

11. When we focus on our weaknesses…

12. Weaknesses
• Problem focused
• Negativity bias
• Drains energy
• Undermines confidence
• Strips motivation
• Culture of modesty
• Performance
improves more from
strengths focus

13. You cannot be anything you want to be.
And you can be a lot more of who you
already are.
Tom Rath learned this from his grandfather Don Clifton, father of “Strengths
Psychology (APA)” and chief designer of Strengthsfinder Profile.

14. Chris Peterson & Marty Seligman

15. A Classification of the Sanities

16. Seeking a Common Language
“A Consensual Nomenclature”
• 3 years – published in 2004
• 55 distinguished social scientists
• 2500 years of philosophers/great thinkers
• Assemble, research and classify positive
traits in human beings

18. Criteria
§ Universal
§ Measurable
§ Morally valued
§ Fulfilling
§ Trait-like
Biswas-­‐Diener,
R.,
Kashdan,
T.
B.,
&
Minhas,
G.
(2011).
A
dynamic
approach
to
psychological
strength
development
and
intervenBon.
The
Journal
of
Posi0ve
Psychology.
doi:10.1080/17439760.2010.545429.

19. Basic Building Blocks to a
Flourishing Life
§ 24 capacities for thinking, feeling, volition,
and behaving
§ Psychological ingredients for displaying
virtues and human goodness
§ Pathways to the virtues
§ The core of who we are--positive identity
Niemiec,
Ryan,
2013.
Mindfulness
&
Character
Strengths:
a
pracBcal
guide
to
flourishing.

20. Flow
Arousal
Anxiety
Worry Control
Relaxation
Boredom
Apathy
Skills
Challenges
Low
High
High
Czikszentmihalyi, M. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. 2007
Strengths Engagement

21. How Strengths Show Up: Curiosity
Thoughts
I wonder what he thinks about this.
Emotions
I feel the need for something new.
Behavior
I will ask if he can tell me anything about this.
Motivation (bridge)
I have a goal to talk to 2 people about a new
idea.
http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/ryan-niemiec/2010052611161

22. Motivation + Strengths = MOJO

23. From What’s Wrong to What’s Strong
• Gratitude
• Hope
• Kindness
• Leadership
• Love
• Spirituality
• Teamwork
Peterson,
C.,
&
Seligman,
M,
(2003).
Character
strengths
before
and
a_er
September
11.
Psychological
Science,
14,
381-­‐384.

24. Realise2
http://www.cappeu.com/Realise2/TheRealise24MModel.aspx

25. StrengthsFinder from Gallup

27. Wisdom & Knowledge
Cognitive Strengths
§ Creativity
§ Curiosity
§ Judgment
§ Love of learning
§ Perspective/Wisdom

28. Courage
Emotional strengths
§ Bravery
§ Perseverance
§ Honesty
§ Zest

29. Humanity
Interpersonal
strengths
§ Love (to love and be
loved)
§ Kindness
§ Social Intelligence

30. Justice
Civic Strengths
§ Teamwork
§ Fairness
§ Leadership

31. Temperance
Moderation Strengths
§ Forgiveness
§ Humility
§ Prudence
§ Self-Regulation

32. Transcendence
Strengths for Meaning
& Connection
§ Appreciation of beauty &
excellence
§ Gratitude
§ Hope
§ Humor
§ Spirituality

33. Strengths & Life Satisfaction
Over 75% have in their top 5:
§ Zest
§ Hope
§ Gratitude
§ Love
§ Curiosity
Park, N., Peterson, C., Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Strengths of character and well-being, J of
Social & Clinical Psychology, 23, 609-619.
See Neimic (2013)

34. Research
• Niemiec, R. M. (2013). VIA character
strengths: Research and practice (The first
10 years). In H. H. Knoop & A. Delle Fave
(Eds.), Well-being and cultures:
Perspectives on positive psychology (pp.
11-30). New York: Springer.

35. Signature Strengths
• Signature strengths (top 3-7) – “the real
you”
• Using a signature strength in a new and
unique way increased happiness and
decreased depression for 6 months in
RCT.
Peterson and Seligman, 2004.
Seligman, Steen, Park and Peterson, 2005.

36. Signature Strengths at Work
§ Use 4 or more SSs for more positive
experiences at work
§ Less than 4 leads to fewer positive work
experiences (boost 1, start with teamwork or
gratitude)
Harzer, C., & Ruch, W. (2012): When the job is calling: The role of applying one’s signature strengths at work.
Journal of Positive Psychology, DOI:10.1080/17439760.2012.702784.

37. Fewer than 1/3 of individuals have a
meaningful understanding of their strengths.
Linley, A. (2008). Average to A+: Realising strengths in yourself and others.
Coventry, UK: CAPP Press.

39. Aware ~ Explore ~ Apply
Niemiec, R. M. (2009). Ok, now what? Taking action. VIA Institute: Article available at:
www.viacharacter.org/www/AwareExploreApply/tabid/249/language/en-US/Default.aspx

40. Aware
• Strengthspotting (self
and others)
• Combating Strengths
Blindness
• Cultivating Strength
Awareness

41. Aware: StrengthSpotting
§ Observe people. Listen and look over speaking.
§ Wear “strengths goggles” by listening/looking for
strengths in the people around you.
§ Share the positive in a precise way (e.g., “I see bravery
in you”)
§ Offer an example or rationale for the strength you see
(e.g., “I see fairness in you because you always seem to
stick up for other people”).
§ Genuine, honest, relevant to the situation

42. Aware:
StrengthsBlindness
Don’t notice what comes
naturally because of ease.
Oh, that’s just me being
me. It isn’t special.

43. Aware: Cultivating Strengths Awareness
Storytelling – Best Self in past/future
§ Remember specific time
§ A specific strength
§ Write/narrate story of that experience
§ Get concrete
§ Reflect on what the story says about you as a
person/coach

44. Explore
§ Strengths overuse and
underuse
§ Strengths development
across contexts/
domains
§ Past use with problems
and successes

45. Explore: Underuse and Overuse
BRAVERY
Cowardice
Recklessness
PRUDENCE
Cowardice
Stuffiness

46. Explore: Strengths Development
Right time, right place, right way…
§ Highly contextual
§ Change over settings and time
§ Can be cultivated through awareness, accessibility
and effort
§ Can be problematic/risky
Robert
Biswas-­‐Dienera*,
Todd
B.
Kashdanb
&
Gurpal
Minhas
(2011).
A
dynamic
approach
to
psychological
strength
development
and
intervenBon
.
Journal
of
PosiBve
Psychology,
6:1,
pp
106-­‐118.

47. Explore: Past Successes and Lessons

48. Apply
• Take action with
goal-setting
• Deploy and align
strengths
• Value strengths in
self and others
• Resource Priming
• Virtuous Cycle

49. I love adventure – find new
walks
I love to dance – join a
Zumba class
I love to create – new
playlist to exercise to
I love to learn - learn how
to do yoga
I love to connect – find a
team to join
When Exercise is the Goal

50. Curiosity
What will happen if I have the apple?
Wisdom
What would my wise self decide to do?
Learning
What can I learn from this situation?
Creativity
What’s a creative solution?
Kindness
How can I help someone else?
Use
Strengths
to
overcome
Weaknesses

51. Exercise Your Strengths
• Use a strength more
• In a new/different way
• Temper a high strength
• Increase productivity with
a strength
• Be more mindful of
strength in a context
• Turn strength inward
• Turn strength outward
• Make one more heart-
centered
• Make one more mind-
centered
• See the extraordinary in a
high strength
• Build in a phasic strength
• Bring forth a strength
constellation
Neimiec Training 2012

52. Cultivating Strengths
Tayyab Rashid PhD
University of Toronto,
Scarborough
www.viacharacter.org/
resources/ways-to-use-via-
character-strengths/

53. Apply: All Together Now!
§ Richly imagined future
§ Increased self-efficacy and positivity
§ Expanded thinking/options by stage
§ Commitment to positive change/goals
§ Building on what works
§ Growth mindset/resilience, self-compassion,
perseverance

54. Build a Foundation before Preparation & Action
§ Autonomy
§ Motivation
§ Strengths
§ Challenges
§ Strategies
Moore,
Tschannen-­‐Moran,
Coaching
Psychology
Manual,
2008

55. Strengths & Self-Efficacy
I will use my strengths
in ways that will drive
me forward and build
my confidence.

56.
HOW:
Need
MoBvaBon
+
Confidence
Precontemplation
Contemplation
Action
Preparation
Maintenance
2
1
0 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
C
O
N
F
I
D
E
N
CE
I M P O R T A N C E
Moore, 2008

57. Strengths and TTM

58. TTM Processes of Change
Cognitive
Thinking, feeling, experiencing
Getting information
Raising awareness
Considering others
Arousing emotions
Reevaluating self-image
Tracking progress
Social norms
Behavioral
Doing
Committing
Cues
Substitution
Rewards
Countering
Controlling environment
Helpful relationships
Manage lapses

59. Strengths & Positivity
§ See strengths in oneself
§ See strengths in others
§ Improve positivity ratio in self (3:1)
§ Improve positivity ratio in relationships (5:1)
§ Improve positivity ratio in teams (7:1)

60. Is Mindfulness a Meta-Strength?
Attentional
process that helps
individuals to
operate signature
and other
strengths
Niemiec (2013)

61. Vision
Coaching
Tool
1. What is going well in your life?
2. What are 5 things that make you thrive?
3. What is your vision for your future well-being?
4. Why does this vision matter to you?
5. What strengths can you use?
6. What is a key challenge?
7. What are three strategies for overcoming your
challenge?
8. What are your goals and first steps?
9. What insights did you have?
61
Wellcoaches Corporation

63. Ask yourself what makes
you come alive,
and go do that,
because what the world needs is
people who have come alive.
-Howard Thurman

64. Coaching
DemonstraBon

65. What insights did you have today?

66. Week 10
Science of Coaching
Psychology
coach-facilitated,
self-directed
positiveneuroplasticity