By Mary-Ellen Catchpole
I recently completed another VIA Character Strengths Survey, and it reminded me just how insightful this simple tool can be. It’s useful not only for personal growth, but also for building stronger teams and more authentic leadership.
Unlike traditional assessments that focus on what you’re good or bad at, the VIA Survey identifies character strengths; traits that are core to who you are. The results offer a snapshot of which strengths come most naturally to you at this point in time, and which ones may need more attention or intention.
A personal reflection: strengths in action
A few years ago, my top strength was humour and playfulness. I was deep in a high-pressure program. The work was complex and often exhausting, but the team energy was high, and humour was a big part of keeping morale up.
That result made perfect sense for where I was in my life and work.
But I also knew I wanted to grow.
At the time, my leadership strength ranked number 10. That prompted a real moment of reflection. I had plans to expand MEC Consulting and step up as a leader in the field. Was I showing up as a leader, or was I defaulting to what felt easiest?
Humour is a strength, no doubt. It boosts wellbeing, helps manage stress, and creates connection. But overused, it can undermine how others perceive your credibility. I didn’t want to be seen as the joker who also happens to be good. I wanted to be known as the expert consultant who is also a joy to work with.
Shifting focus, building strength
So, I made a decision. I intentionally worked on developing my leadership presence. I became clearer about what I offered, changed how I communicated with clients, and stepped into conversations with greater clarity and confidence.
A year later, I took the VIA survey again. My updated top five included:
- Gratitude
- Humour
- Leadership
It reflected where I was. I was leading a complex, high-stakes project. I leaned heavily on gratitude to stay grounded, humour to stay human, and leadership to navigate the tough stuff. The shift in strengths mirrored the shift in mindset, and the feedback from others confirmed it.
Why this matters for teams and organisations
The VIA Character Strengths Survey is a free and evidence-based tool that can benefit individuals, families, and teams. It helps people reflect, connect, and grow with greater intention.
I use it regularly in workshops, team kick-offs, and cultural alignment work. It’s particularly powerful when paired with values mapping and group exercises that surface how people like to work, communicate, and collaborate.
Together, these tools can help you:
- Strengthen team dynamics
- Reconnect people to their purpose
- Identify strengths to lean on during change
- Create a more human, resilient, and high-performing culture
Ready to explore your strengths?
You can take the free VIA Survey any time. It’s a great check-in to see what’s shifted for you, especially if you’ve been working on your personal or professional growth.
At MEC Consulting, we help individuals and teams connect to what they do best. If you’re curious about how a strengths-based approach could benefit your team, program, or organisation, we’d love to chat.
