Humans are social by nature meaning that they have to interact from time to time. It is through these interactions that they add value to one another. However, it should be noted that for interactions to be meaningful individuals must be virtuous by embracing temperance and transcendence. Essentially individuals should learn to treat each other with dignity by demonstrating temperance strengths such as gratitude and forgiveness to enhance relationships. Of importance is the fact that individuals should endeavor to portray the best of their character, as it is the best way to navigate through personal, professional, and social issues
6.1 Character Strength and Personal, Professional, and Social Issues
Character strength helps an individual to have meaningful relationships and general fulfillment. Various individuals have varied opinions when it comes to what contributes to personal happiness and fulfillment. Some tend to think that happiness is the absence of problems forgetting that happiness comes from within. Individuals who engage in positive and strong character traits are more likely to enjoy happiness as they end up relating well with other people (Peterson, &, Seligman, 2004). These same people are quick to forgive and give other people hope in life. Essentially hopeful people are likely to feel more fulfilled as they will not be concerned with the existing challenges. Instead, they will view these challenges as a stepping stone to greatness and better life outcomes.
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A study that was conducted by Hausler, Strecker, Huber, Brenner, Hoge, and Hofer (2017) established that individuals with a good character were more likely to have improved psychological outcomes. The study further found out that hope, gratitude, love, curiosity, and zest as some of the predictors to happiness. This research study asserts that individuals are living in a complicated social, personal, and professional environment, which may lead to depression and burnout. Nonetheless, these individuals can tap into the various character strengths to remain focused and achieve optimum well-being. From the study, it is important for individuals to cultivate character strengths to navigate through the demands of life.
6.2 Conflict Resolution and Forgiveness
Individuals tend to collide from time to time owing to differences in opinions, perspectives, or even personalities. While this form of collision is a part of human relationships, it does not have to define them as individuals can cultivate conflict resolution and forgiveness. However, it is important to note that forgiveness and conflict resolution is a two-way process. The erring individuals ought to show remorse and willingness to apologize. On the other hand, the other individual or party must be willing to forgive (Peterson, and, Seligman, 2004). Once the parties resolve their conflict and forgive one another they can now have a more productive and meaningful life.
A study conducted by Ayoko in 2016 among 358 business undergraduates established the relationship between conflict, apologies, forgiveness, and willingness to cooperate after a conflict event. In this study, it was evident that sincerity in apologies and a desire to cooperate are more likely to enhance forgives. In this case, one would establish that forgiveness and conflict resolution are a purposive undertaking. Individuals must be willing to build bridges no matter how much they have collided. One cannot afford to stay begrudged while forgiveness creates more avenues to thrive both personally and professionally.
7.1 Humor
Humor is a vital virtue as it helps to connect individuals to the existing troubles and contradictions in a way that is pleasurable. Essentially humor is beneficial as it makes human conditions, which would have otherwise bring disappointment more bearable. Effective individuals are those individuals who are energetic, curious and gifted with an acute sense of humor. Humor is used to diffuse tense situations and relationships, which help, improve the quality of human life. Studies into the concept of humor have demonstrated that leaders who use humor are more likely to motivate their followers to become more productive. Leaders who use humor alleviate the status differentials thus decreasing the social distance that exists between them and their followers. A study conducted by Wellenzohn, Proyer, and Ruch in 2018 established that extraverts were more likely to benefit from funny things as opposed to introverts who are hard to please. From these findings, it is important for leaders to inject some humor in their dealings with their followers. They should not be too strict but rather find chances to make light of workplace issues to motivate their employees.
7.2 Gratitude
Gratitude is a character, which helps individuals to celebrate what is good in life as well as being thankful what one, has, what one is and where one is in life. It should be noted that it does not mean that grateful people have fewer ambitions or adopt a passive look at life. Rather, grateful individuals are optimistic which makes them adaptable no matter the prevailing circumstances (Peterson, and, Seligman, 2004). Research indicates that gratitude is an essential character as it is vital in fostering and sustaining supportive and positive social relations. Essentially individuals with high levels of gratitude are much likely to be happier, energetic, hopeful, enthusiastic, healthier, and determined.
A research study by Nezlek, Newman, and Thrash (2017), established that individuals who express gratitude at every opportunity are more likely to experience robust wellbeing. These individuals are more likely to be more content with what they have, where they are, and who they are, knowing well they are going to become more. Grateful people are able to form meaningful relationships as they often recognize the input and efforts of others. Leaders should endeavor to appreciate every little effort of their followers to motivate them. Employees who feel appreciated also feel good about themselves and are likely to be grateful as well.
In conclusion, transcendence and temperance are crucial virtues, which help individuals to control their emotions and impulses to form meaningful relationships. Individuals must understand that they will interact with others from time to time. These interactions may require individuals to exercise temperamental abilities to reduce conflict. However, if conflicts arise individuals can engage with one another to resolve the ensuing conflicts. At the end of it, one will be grateful for the opportunities that arise from meaningful relationships. At times individuals may be forced to laugh off tense situations to diffuse conflicts. Individuals who embrace transcendence and temperance are bound to have happier and productive which influence others positively.
References
Ayoko, O. B. (2016). Workplace conflict and willingness to cooperate: The importance of apology and forgiveness . International Journal of Conflict Management, 27 (2), 172-198.
Hausler, M., Strecker, C., Huber, A., Brenner, M., Hoge, T., & Hofer, S. (2017). Distinguishing relational aspects of character strengths with subjective and psychological well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 8 (1159), 1–12.
Nezlek, J. B., Newman, D. B., and Thrash, T. M. (2017). A daily diary study of relationships between feelings of gratitude and well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12 (4), 323–332.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Wellenzohn, S., Proyer, R. T., & Ruch, W. (2018). Who benefits from humor-based positive psychology interventions? The moderating effects of personality traits and sense of humor. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (821), 1–10.
