Robert E. McGrath - The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality

Advance Praise for
The Power of
Character Strengths

Finally, Ryan Niemiec and Bob McGrathwho have been on the frontlines of our understanding of how to nurture the best within uswrote this much-needed book! This is the most scientifically valid and useful book on character strengths to date. The focus on 24 character strengths is highly accessible and of benefit for anyoneyoung, old, professional, self-employed, unemployed, student, or militarywho wants to better understand their potential and learn concrete strategies to bring out the best in themselves and others.

Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D., Author of Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined and Co-Author of Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind

The authors offer a crucially-needed roadmap to thriving and living life to the fullest, offering an alternative to focusing on faults, flaws and failings.

Sandra Scheinbaum, Ph.D., IFMCP

Founder and CEO, Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, Inc.

Did you know you have a way within you to discover all that is good and right about yourself? It is mind-expanding and life enhancing! After you discover your strengths with the VIA Survey, use this book as the framework for a fun, doable, and mind-blowing recipe for how you can begin to shine a positivity light on your life right now!

Judy Krings, coach and psychologist

This book focuses on strengths and not on weaknesses to fight against depression and increase well-being and happiness. It will put you in the path of a strengths-based transformation.

Joseph F. Bacigalupo, MBA, MPEC, ACPEC

Managing Partner & Executive Advisor, AlliancesHub International, LLC

A really helpful book to boost anyones self-confidence (and make the world a better place). This book is well researched, easy to read, and entices to explore character strengths further.

Barbara Winwood, Life Coach (Dorset, UK)

This is a hopeful, encouraging self-help book with a clear structure and is easy to read and digest. It is encouraging and realistic about our personalities and has plenty of great information and explanations, with real life/personal stories.

Helen ODonohue, Educational Psychologist (UK)

I want my clients to know that this is the definitive book on individual strengths and that they really should pick it up, read it and use it.

Lisa Sansom, Coach and Consultant

By incorporating my strengths into all parts of my life I have found reserves I did not know I had, a compassion and kindness for myself, love for and from those closest to me, laughter in my darkest moments, thankfulness for each moment and a way to keep hopeful throughout my journey.

Lorna Freestone, wife and mother

Living by our signature strengths is the only way to live, and this book contains everything one could need to do just that.

Dr. Roger Bretherton, Principal Lecturer,
School of Psychology, University of Lincoln (UK)

I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at the age of 34. I have no family history (of any cancer!). I was a Division I athlete, maintained an active lifestyle, and was otherwise extremely healthy. Knowing my strengths before this detour allowed me to know what I should focus on each day. These character strengths practices have kept me on a path of resilience and happiness throughout my diagnosis and treatment.

Lani Silversides, Mathematics Instructor and athletic coach at Phillips Academy Andover,

Certified Sport Psychology Coach, and Certified Positive Educator

Drs. Niemiec and McGrath, the preeminent scholars and practitioners of character strengths development, have helped me deeply understand and deploy my signature strengths of love of learning, curiosity and zest, enabling me to thrive in both my professional and home life. I strongly recommend their exceptional new book The Power of Character Strengths . This magnificent guide sparkles with essential knowledge and practical tips, plus the included four-step Strengths Builder program will definitely boost your career success, happiness and life satisfaction.

Jeffrey E. Auerbach, Ph.D.,

President, College of Executive Coaching; Co-Author of Positive Psychology in Coaching

As a strengths-based psychotherapist, this work with character strengths has profoundly changed the way my clients see themselves and the kind of work we do together.

Jennifer Cory, MS, MAPP, LCSW

Clinical Psychotherapist and Founder HEART Initiative

Here is a book that can change your life like it did mine.

Kristen Carter, Positive Psychology Coach and Writer

VIA Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues*

Virtue of Wisdom

Creativity: Original and adaptive, shows ingenuity, sees and does things in different ways

Curiosity: Interested, seeks novelty, appreciates exploration, open to experience

Judgment: Critical in thinking, thinks through all sides, doesnt jump to conclusions

Love of Learning: Interested in mastering new skills and information, systematically adds to knowledge

Perspective: Wise, provides wise counsel, takes the big-picture view

strengths that help you
gather and use knowledge

Virtue of Courage

Bravery: Shows valor, doesnt shrink from threat or challenge, faces fears, speaks up for whats right

Perseverance: Persistent, industrious, finishes what he or she starts, overcomes obstacles

Honesty: Authentic, true to him- or herself, sincere, shows integrity

Zest: Vital, enthusiastic for life, vigorous, energetic, does things wholeheartedly

strengths that help
you exercise your
will and face adversity

Virtue of Humanity

Love: Both loving and loved, values close relations with others, shows genuine warmth

Kindness: Generous, nurturing, caring, compassionate, altruistic, does for others

Social Intelligence: Emotionally intelligent, aware of the motives and feelings of self and others, knows what makes other people tick

strengths that help you in
one-on-one relationships

Virtue of Justice

Teamwork: A good citizen, socially responsible, loyal, contributes to group efforts

Fairness: Adheres to principles of justice, doesnt let feelings bias decisions, offers equal opportunity to all

Leadership: Organizes groups to get things done, positively guides others

strengths that help you in community