In the last few weeks, we have shifted who we spend the majority of our time with. We no longer have physical spaces as a way to distribute our time amongst our communities. This can have a negative effect on the connections to our support network.

Betsy Erwin, the Senior Associate Director and Faculty Associate at the Center for Positive Organizations, shares a practice for seeing strengths in other people and calling them out, which we can do with anyone we meet, strengthening our support no matter where we are.

Your practice: Strengths spotting

Betsy mentioned the 24 research-based strengths we can spot in ourselves and the people in our lives. You can see all strengths on VIA’s website. Some are: humor, curiosity, forgiveness, honesty, humility, kindness, and fairness. Think of one person you’re close to…what is one strength you recently noticed in them? Think of a specific example. Consider sharing this observation with them. Think of how you can make this a routine part of your life.

Try the strengths spotting practice. Did you notice anything new about the person you were thinking about? How did they respond? What did you learn from this exercise?