[Ailist] RE: AI And Assessements

[Jan Elsner]

Hi Carol

I can also support the use of the VIA Signature Strengths. We use it for many reasons as the individual tool that relates to an AI approach. In fact we use it prior to running any AI related workshop, and as the core tool in all our leadership development work in coaching and in programs. The way we use it enables people to experience AI at a very personal level prior to applying AI to an organisational or team situation.

People seem to love the story behind the VIA: asking the question in science as to whether there was a scientifically validated tool that actually measures what is right with people. And then upon reviewing the literature and tools proceeding on a research project to define what is universally right with people across time (centuries) and cultures. People appreciate the rigorous science and also the philanthropic funding, making the VIA free and online. It immediately positively distinguishes itself from other commercial tools that measure our deviation from some statistical ideal, that make us focus on more of our deficits under the banner of 'development needs'. The VIA also distinguishes itself from every other tool that measures us against an ideal, thereby taking our focus to where we deviate from the ideal. People constantly tell us how powerful and wonderful it is not to have to look at yet another set of aspirations they should have for improving themselves. 

Its important in an organisational situation to explain to people how the VIA works. We find people look at their lowest strengths and worry about what they are 'bad' at. We have to explain strengths are not skills, or talents. They are what 'fuels' you. You may or may not be good at them and as often as not they get us in to trouble as much as help our successes. The lower strengths may be things you are vey good at from a skill point of view, but you just don't get the same level of satisfaction as you do when using your top 5 strengths.

As a coaching and workshop tool we synthesised the salient material in Chris Peterson's huge volume on the VIA into a set of cards. One for each strength. There is a deeper description of each strength and a paragraph about how someone with that strength is at their best, and a paragraph about how a person with that strength is thwarted. The content is specifically oriented towards work and we use them with very senior leaders. We have finally printed the cards and are finding we are selling them all over the world now to coaches and colleagues. Please contact me or look at our website if you are interested. www.positiveleadership.com.au

When we are using AI we start with a strengths workshop using VIA Signature Strengths and Appreciative Questions about using strengths and achieving success and satisfaction. Then when we explain AI, people 'get it' and understand moving away from a traditional problem-solution dialogue. We are currently writing up some of our workshop tools and exercises for a book. Please let us know if you are interested in sharing ideas.

Just a note...we do find the VIA website questionnaire process (www.viacharacter.org) a little shaky. Getting people to do the VIA on the www.authentichappiness.com site can save some frustration. We find execs a little impatient with the VIA site itself, and now they are selling VIA related jewellery etc we steer our exec clients away from it as it can be a bit off-putting (at least in the Australian market).

Cheers

JAN             
          Jan Elsner 
              Director

              7/60 Flinders Street
              Melbourne Victoria
              Australia 3000

              telephone + 61 3 9654 8882
              mobile 0411 108 534

              www.positiveleadership.com.au
              jan at positiveleadership.com.au
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 21:33:34 -0600
From: "RICHMOND, CAROL" <crichm at cnm.edu>
Subject: [Ailist] AI and assessments (?MBTI 2)
To: "Nancy Stetson" <nancy at sonic.net>
Cc: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
Message-ID:
	<2A52E4D3D187AB499D9A3FF02AB17277060E9709 at EXCHANGE.admin.ad.cnm.edu>
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Hello Nancy and all,
I am working on creating an AI session for middle  leadership as part of a conference on self awareness. I am looking for a personality assessment whose questions lead in the direction of identifying leadership strengths and builds on the AI topic of inspirational leadership. I am familiar with strengthquest and strengths finder and EQ. I heard of MBTI 2 but have not seen it. I am trying to move away of a model of leadership personality trait assessments that are based on the industrial society model with a problem or deficit based focus to one that identifies leadership potential for our information age and offer a post modern direction. II do like the process of 360 but it develops weaknesses you have used a personality/leadership values, skills, traint assessment that is consistent with AI principles. Please let me know. 
thanks so much for your help
Carol Richmond


Message: 8
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:59:51 -0400
From: Robyn Stratton-Berkessel <robyn at litglobal.com>
Subject: Re: [Ailist] AI and assessments (?MBTI 2)
To: "RICHMOND, CAROL" <crichm at cnm.edu>
Cc: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu, Nancy Stetson <nancy at sonic.net>
Message-ID: <A2F23C68-7557-4A71-B492-03341458EBF2 at litglobal.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Hi Carol,

Have you considered using the VIA, Values in Action questionnaire?.  http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/questionnaires.aspx 
.  created by Chris Peterson and Mary Seligman.   There are many  
questionnaires on the site.  Seligman's book, Authentic Happiness  
describes the 24 signature strengths in great detail.   It could be  
appropriate, as it seem to meet your need for self-awareness and  
moving in the direction of strengths and a post-modern direction.

All these survey are on-line with instant reports.

Kind regards,
Robyn
Robyn Stratton-Berkessel
Creator, Positive Matrix www.positivematrix.com
Founder, L.I.T. Global www.litglobal.com
+1 732 291 0462
+1 917 816 5597 (mobile)
Skype: robynsb