Some days, it feels like the expectations on leaders are multiplying faster than the support we offer them. In every sector—and especially in mission‑driven work—leaders are being asked to navigate complexity, care for their teams, and deliver results in an environment that rarely slows down. What if, instead of only trying to “fix” what leaders lack, we intentionally grew the character strengths that help them stay grounded, courageous, and future‑ready?
Many organizations are still trying to “future‑proof” leadership with longer competency lists—yet they continue to see burnout, disengagement, and short‑lived training results. This new research suggests a different path: developing 21st‑century‑ready leaders by intentionally cultivating character strengths like curiosity, courage, fairness, and hope.
Rather than asking only “What’s missing from our leaders?”, try considering a more human question: “What strengths are already here—and how can we grow them in a systematic way?” The authors of this article really show how strengths‑based development can build leaders who are more adaptive, values‑aligned, and resilient over time, not just immediately after a workshop.
For executives and organizations, this opens up practical opportunities:
- Integrate character strengths (e.g., perspective, kindness, bravery) into leadership programs, coaching, and performance conversations—not just technical skills.
- Pair mindfulness and strengths practices to expand leaders’ capacity for clear thinking, emotional regulation, and wise decision‑making in complex environments.
- Design roles and team norms that allow people to use their strengths daily, fueling engagement, creativity, and well‑being.
This is the heart of my work at Flourishing Vitality: partnering with mission‑driven leaders and organizations to move beyond “fixing deficits” toward cultivating strengths‑based, wellness‑centered cultures where people can do excellent work without sacrificing their health. If your organization is exploring new ways to develop leaders and support well‑being, I would be glad to connect and co‑design a strengths‑based approach that fits your context.
References:
Advani, A., & Mergenthaler, E. (2024). From competencies to strengths: exploring the role of character strengths in developing twenty‑first century‑ready leaders: a strengths‑based approach.
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