ABSTRACT
The human character has fascinated bygone philosophers and modern researchers alike with values often being a prevalent topic. This chapter starts with a brief survey of the growing body of research that supports the use of strengths in organisational settings in modern society. Initially presented as the ‘psychological ingredients’ that underpin human goodness, character strengths are now widely understood to be the positive aspects of personality which can impact optimal functioning and well-being. Our focus in this chapter will be on the use of strengths-identification and strengths-spotting in educational settings. Following a long tradition of promoting positive character, many educational contexts have embraced the idea of identifying and encouraging the use of strengths. Given that there is an understandable focus on practical application in educational settings, strengths-based interventions for students and staff will be explored. We will conclude by sharing some immediately applicable interventions, along with the perceived benefits of these interventions.
