Values in Action Character Survey (VIA)*

The Values in Action (VIA) Character Survey, developed by Dr. Christopher Peterson and Dr. Martin Seligman in the early 2000s, is grounded in positive psychology and aims to identify an individual’s core character strengths. The VIA Character Survey is a comprehensive framework designed to assess and cultivate human virtues. It is structured around 24 character strengths, which are categorized into six broad virtues: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence.

For Individuals:

• Understanding of own character strengths, virtues, and potential areas for growth
• Making informed decisions about personal goals, relationships, and overall well-being
• Enhanced ability to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and positivity

For Companies:

• Enhancement of hiring processes and talent management by recognizing character strengths
• Identification of individuals likely to excel in collaborative settings, demonstrate leadership, or exhibit traits conducive to a positive work culture
• Informed decisions about team composition, professional development, and fostering a strengths-based organizational environment

The VIA Character Survey provides a detailed assessment across 24 character strengths, offering individuals and companies valuable insights into intrinsic qualities. This understanding supports personal growth and strategic decision-making, leading to improved well-being and organizational effectiveness.

* We use the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) for our testing approach. It’s a collection of items managed by the Oregon Research Institute, freely available to the public. This tool helps us assess personality traits, and because it’s open-source, it promotes broad research and practical use.