Strengths Technology

While the language of positive psychology can be universal, there is a language that organizations gravitate towards and find both engaging and effectual. Organizations speak in terms of behavioral competence when recruiting, assessing performance, measuring results, creating development plans and administering performance appraisals. The current positive psychology canon of self-assessment surveys does not include one that relates to behavioral strengths. We suggest such an assessment, and produce evidence to establish its rightful place. Peterson and Seligman’s Character Strengths and Values (2004) can be operationalized to align with the heuristics of for-profit organizations by connecting the two. We combine positive psychology concepts and scientific research with this proven operational methodology, the Lifo Orientations (Lifo®) Method – to produce the Strengths Technology Framework. This proposed framework is comprised of two components, 1) identification of the behaviors that are the expression of VIA Character Strengths and 2) the Strengths Technology Matrix, which outlines twelve strength development strategies. In addition, this capstone includes a “train the trainer” workshop to develop strengths intervention knowledge and skills of consultants who have not yet studied positive psychology but want to make a true difference by working with strengths. Lastly, we introduce the “Flourish” Program, of which Strengths Technology will be an important component. This program will be a mixture of interventions from positive psychology resources and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), together with existing training and development techniques. This capstone is intended to be a rich repository of positive psychology theory, strengths-based frameworks, and positive interventions to help individuals, teams, and organizations to flourish.

Download the full Capstone here.