Unmasking: How to use the VIA character strengths survey to learn who you really are
The VIA character strengths survey has been my favourite coaching tool. I tend to offer it at the start of the coaching partnership, in particular if clients struggle to name any personal strengths that will support them on their coaching journey or if they are specifically looking for ways to improve their self-awareness of strengths and values, confidence and managing wellbeing and burnout.
There are numerous ways in which the VIA survey results can be used. In this article, I will introduce the VIA survey and describe how you can use the results to learn who you really are, once the mask is dropped.
What is the VIA character strengths framework and survey?
The VIA (“values in action”) character strengths framework consist of 24 positive qualities (such as Kindness, Love of Learning and Social Intelligence) that are universal across cultures and religions. It was created by a team of researchers with an intention to create a ‘manual of the sanities’ or a positive version of the DSM.
What makes the VIA survey a particularly good tool for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people?
What initially drew me to the VIA character strengths framework was the philosophy behind it: to create a ‘manual of the sanities’ or a positive version of the DSM. This is very much aligned with the philosophy behind the neurodiversity movement, which called to create strengths-based approaches to improve the quality of life for neurodivergent people and not solely focus on removing ‘impairments’ (see Nocon et al. 2022).
I believe the VIA survey is particularly beneficial for autistic clients. According to the identity theory of autism, autistic people tend to define themselves by their values. In contrast, non-autistic people tend to define themselves by their social roles.
How do I complete the survey?
Go to the VIA Institute page https://www.viacharacter.org/surveys/takesurvey to complete the survey. You will be asked to register but you won’t need to pay to receive your results.
Note 1:
If you’re my current coaching client, please use the link I provided by email so I can access your results.
Note 2:
This survey wasn’t designed with autistic people in mind. As a result, some of the wording isn’t specific enough.
In particular, words such as ‘always’ and ‘never’ are not intended to be read literally. Simply omitting the words ‘always’ and ‘never’ or replacing them with ‘usually’ and ‘rarely’ should make the questions more accessible. Thank you to Embrace Autism for the suggestion.
Interpreting your VIA survey results
Are my results good?
There are no good or bad results here.
Every individual uses all 24 character strengths in different degrees, giving each person a unique character strengths profile. There is not one ‘normal’ or ‘preferred’ character strengths profile.
What do the results mean?
Open each heading to learn more:
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The top 5-7 strengths are strengths that you find engaging, energising and are comfortable using. These are your ‘go-to’ strength and may come naturally to you.
However, it is also possible to over-use the top strengths. For example, when Honesty is over-used, it can come across as blunt or hurtful.
Note: some of your top strengths may be learned adaptations to the world rather than strengths that you use naturally and are life-giving for you. Scroll down to find out how to identify your true top strengths.
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These strengths are often expressed though may not be automatic. You may choose to use them as the situation requires.
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The bottom 5-7 strengths are strengths that you do not use as often as others, for example because using them might be draining. They may not come naturally to you.
It is possible to under-use the bottom strength. For example, when Humour is under-used, it can come across as serious.
Please note that the survey results are not an absolute truth (it’s OK if you don’t fully agree). They are a good base for a further exploration and discussion.
Using your top VIA character strengths to learn who you truly are
Interrogating your top strengths
For each of the top 5-7 character strengths in turn, reflect on the following questions:
Would you say that this strength reflects who you are at your core or your authentic unmasked self?
If you answered ‘yes’, why is it a yes? If you answered ‘no’, why is it a no?
What would your life be like if you could no longer use this strength?
Identifying any learned adaptions
Learned adaptions are any character strengths that you feel don’t reflect who you really are or ones that you could stop using without it having a negative impact on your life (or indeed it would make your life better in some way).
Some people find that all their top character strengths define them; some find that one or two character strengths are learned adaptations that they developed to help them survive in a largely neurotypical world.
Here are some examples of learned adaptions:
Social Intelligence (being aware of the motives and feelings of self or others). For one of my clients, this character strength came at the very top. However, the client felt it was something she learned to do to navigate life: being hyperaware of interpersonal dynamics and trying to interpret other people’s emotions and feelings. She was using this strength a lot, however, it was also very draining for her.
Self-regulation (self-control, disciplined, managing impulses and emotions). This one has featured on my own top character strengths list for years, though I’ve started to use it less in recent years. For most of my life I’ve been withdrawn and kept to myself. I learned that not expressing my emotions was safe (and rewarded). However, I wouldn’t say it’s who I really am – it’s a strategy that I learned to stay safe in the world, though I’ve tried to rely on it less and use the strength of Fairness and Honesty more.
Identifying positive qualities that define you
These are your top 5-7 character strengths excluding any learned adaptions.
Look again at your answers to the questions above and cross out any learned adaptions from the list. The remaining character strengths describe who you are at your core, once the mask is dropped.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about yourself through the lens of the VIA character strengths, join my Exploring Your Autistic Self course. Over a period of 5 weeks, you’ll have an opportunity learn about how to become more authentic, aligned and alive through psychoeducation and self-coaching.
About the Author:
Alicja Nocon is the founder of Expand the Circle. Her mission is to empower late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults to contribute in the workplace on their own terms and for it to make business sense.
Alicja offers coaching and mentoring for neurodivergent adults and neurodivergent employees with autism or ADHD, neurodiversity training for organisations and enjoys speaking at panels and other events.
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