Signature strengths

Reading the Cluetrain Manifesto was the nearest thing to having an epiphany that I have personally experienced. It was literally like a light bulb being switched on inside my head. It spoke to me — directly. I have never quite understood why.

For those of you that haven’t read it here’s a couple of lines, that capture its main thesis (emphasis added):

Markets are conversations. Their members communicate in language that is natural, open, honest, direct, funny and often shocking. Whether explaining or complaining, joking or serious, the human voice is unmistakably genuine. It can’t be faked.

Recently I read Martin Seligman’s ‘Authentic Happiness‘ — a seminal work on positive psychology — and as suggested I took a test on the accompanying website to identify my ’signature strengths’.

My top strength according to the test results is: ‘Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness — you are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretence; you are a “real” person.’

If these results are to be believed (they feel like the real me, which is Seligman’s criteria for adopting them), then the Cluetrain speaks to me so clearly because it is a convergence or intersection of my interests and passion (internet, technology) and my signature strengths (authenticity, love of learning). Wow!

So, having identified this cosmic collision what should I do with it?

Herein is Seligman’s suggestion for living the good life: ‘use your signature strengths every day in the main realms of your life to bring abundant gratification and authentic happiness‘.

Sounds easy! I can be authentic, genuine and honest, but what practical steps can I take to use these strengths? Or is it enough strive towards using the strengths in what I do?

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