Today we identified our character strengths using the questions found at http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu. We discussed the results of the questioner in a large classroom setting.
Of the 24 character strengths we found correlation with our top 5 character strengths.
1. Bravery and Valor – Face adversity despite opposition
2. Capacity to love and be loved – Value relationships
3. Industry, diligence and perseverance – Work hard to finish what we start
4. Fairness, equality and justice – In General we treat others based on performance
5. Judgment, critical thinking and open mindedness – Make solid decisions based on facts
(This differs from samples from civilians which gravitated toward Kindness, Fairness, Authenticity, Gratitude and Open-mindedness).
Our groups’ weakest character strengths are
Forgiveness and mercy – Go figure
Social Intelligence – Lack awareness of motives and feelings of others
Many of you who are reading our BLOGs are thinking that resilience training mirrors the CGSC (Command and General Staff College) curriculum. Techniques that we are learning such as “avoiding thinking traps”, “detecting icebergs” are similar in concept and application as “belief windows and “mental models” taught to us in week 2 and 3 of ILE. The difference is that the CGSC curriculum uses the 16 personality types defined by the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the UPENN curriculum uses 24 character strengths outline by the Global Assessment Tool (GAT).
I recommend anyone following our BLOG go to http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx and take the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. The questioner only takes 20 minutes and will help the reader follow our daily updates.
…..later in the day we broke down into small groups and conducted a series of exercises to use our character strengths (CS) as well as the CS of others to solve complex problems…….
My group found that the CS exercises went smoother if members understood or knew the personality type. The understanding of your character strength combined with an understanding of personality types let to more efficient conflict resolution and problem solving.
General observation – I did not think a room full of NCOs would buy into resiliency training. I was wrong. I have found that the class is engaged and eager to learn the process. I think there is value in adding it in diluted form into the CGSC early curriculum. I would not dilute our current curriculum to make room for resiliency training but some how combined the two.
-MAJ Andrew Lanier, Student, Command and General Staff College
