Embody Your Super-Powers

Are you aware? You’ve got all 24 VIA character strengths

The Program Details

The Shine Program is the ideal space to experience together the powerful combination of character strengths and mindfulness.

Over a series of 8 themed workshops and with a range of activities, participants engage, practice, and co-create their learning experience.

  • “I particularly enjoyed the fact that I was able to share this experience with curious people.”

  • What struck you most?

    “The connection among participants regardless of time and space.”

  • “There is lots of interaction in the group which can lead to a better understanding.”

The 8 Workshop Themes

Following the Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) by Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D.

Discovering: Workshops 1 & 2

The initial workshops serve the purpose of getting acquainted with fellow participants and setting solid foundations for the program.

Exploring: Workshops 3-6

The workshops at the heart of the program serve the purpose of allowing participants to experience the synergy of bringing character strengths to mindfulness (known as “strong mindfulness”) and vice versa (known as “mindful strengths use”).

Sustaining: Workshops 7 & 8

The last workshops serve the purpose of making the practices sustainable across all aspects of our lives (i.e., at home, at work, and with our family and friends).

  • We begin the Shine Program by familiarizing ourselves with the mindfulness basics that we will be using throughout the program.

  • We discover the inventory of 24 character strengths known as the VIA Classification and give particular attention to our signature strengths.

  • We experience how the challenges we face - including being mindful - are opportunities for growth where we can draw upon our character strengths.

  • We notice moments in our day-to-day life and work where there are opportunities to be more mindful with the support of our character strengths.

  • We direct our attention toward our relationships - with ourselves and others - and observe the positive impact of mindfully using our character strengths in this key area of our lives.

  • We experiment with leveraging mindfulness to bring more balance to the application of our character strengths - not too little, not too much.

  • We bring our attention to applying our practices to be our best self (authenticity) and to be a better person for others (goodness).

  • We conclude the program by taking stock of the prior workshops and reflecting on how these experiences and learnings equip us to engage more deeply in everyday life and work as we go forward.

 What are the key program outcomes?

Participants consistently report a range of positive outcomes from Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) programs like the Shine Program.

Positive Outcomes

While outcomes vary by participant, according to an analysis of sample participant surveys from around the world, one of the top positive outcomes is improved relationships - both intrapersonal and interpersonal. A higher quality of relationships appears to be an outcome that differentiates the Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice from other mindfulness programs. (Source: Whelan-Berry & Niemiec, 2020)

With relationships playing a prominent role in our daily life and work and impacting our well-being, improvements in this area can have a significant positive impact.

Interestingly, while boosting different aspects of participant well-being such as enagement, relationships, and meaning, MBSP also helps participants to better handle stress, conflicts, and other challenges that arise in life and at work.

 Might the Shine Program be a good fit for you?

Shine might be a particularly good fit for your aspirations if you identify with 1 or more of the profiles below.

Note: The Shine Program attracts people interested in developing their character strengths, mindfulness skills, or both. No prior experience is required to fully benefit from the program.

  • Coaches & Teachers Seeking Ongoing Learning & Skills Enhancement

    May want to finetune their posture and competencies and acquire new knowledge and practices for bringing out the best in their clients and students.

  • Personal Development Enthusiasts Seeking Growth Opportunities

    May find enhancing their self-awareness and discovering their strengths of character as enriching additions to their personal development plan.

  • Achievement-Oriented Professionals Seeking Balance

    May strive to improve their personal wellbeing or reduce stress, achieve a better work-life balance, enhance workplace relationships, and boost individual performance.

  • “Our interaction during the workshop highlighted and enhanced strengths that are dear to me and identified potential to build on lesser strengths.”

    - Christine A. (1 of 3)

  • “Dana’s subtlety and gentle demeanor, intertwined with her leadership skills, ensured that I could ‘let go.’ Her skillful play allowed me to create breadth and take stock of further ambitions.”

    - Christine A. (2 of 3)

  • “As a result of our work together, my inner self is more grounded and my well-being enhanced.”

    - Christine A. (3 of 3)

 Might the Shine Program benefit your team?

A common strengths language and a deeper appreciation of each team member’s character strengths contribute to a conducive working environment.

Team Members & Leaders Seeking Greater Team Cohesion

Teams who have participated in a Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice program have reported, for example, that they are better able to spot strengths in their colleagues, deal with stressful situations, and manage conflict within the team. (Niemiec & Lissing, 2016)

Furthermore, when leaders focus on their employees’ strengths, employee engagement and productivity increase. (Clifton & Harter, 2003)

Why this program?

“In a few words, to benefit from a higher quality of presence and a greater strengths fluency. (Expressed differently, to experience less mindlessness and strengths blindness.)

This program, based on the Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice, is the opportunity to build our capacity to pause, be more fully present, appreciate the strengths within and around us (of which there are many!), and let that awareness inform us.

For me, one of the first positive effects of MBSP was a greater ability to slow down and to see people - including myself - through the lens of strengths. What a difference that makes.

With my coaching clients and students, I quickly saw how a greater awareness of character strengths energizes and enables people to achieve their goals with greater ease.

My favorite MBSP practices? The mindful pause, what went well, and strengths-spotting and appreciation. They can be practiced anywhere, anytime, alone, or with others.

The integration of character strengths and mindfulness is a good news story worth sharing. That’s why I find it meaningful to bring the Shine Program to you.”

- Dana L. Walden

Photo by Capucine Veuillet

Essential Program Information

  • The co-created space is intentionally relaxed and experiential with a balanced mix of opportunities for reflection and interaction.

  • Workshops conveniently take place via the live video-conferencing platform Zoom, allowing participants to comfortably connect and join as and wherever they are. If more suitable, on-site workshops or retreats can be arranged.

  • Participants complete the free VIA Survey on the VIA website and bring their report to each workshop.

  • Discussions (peer-to-peer and all-together), exercises, short guided mindfulness practices, a mini-360°, journaling, experience sharing, light reading, and other activities are proposed during and between workshops.

  • Participants receive program materials for each of the 8 workshops. They are encouraged to become familiar with the recommended reading resources which they may choose to acquire at their own expense.

  • The on-line interactive nature of the workshops requires participants to have access to the Zoom platform via the web as well as a working camera and microphone.

  • Participants earn a certificate of completion based on the number of workshop hours attended.

  • Participants who are members of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) can use the certificate of completion to request ICF continuing coach education units (CCEUs) in the resource development (RD) category.

  • Organizations:

    The early bird fee is 500 CHF (approximately 500 USD) per participant. Full price fee amounts to 600 CHF (approximately 600 USD) per participant.

  • The Shine Program follows the evidence-based Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) created by Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D., Education Director at the VIA Institute on Character. MBSP integrates the science and practice of mindfulness and character strengths and continues to evolve with the latest research in those fields.

 Recommended Readings

  • Mindfulness & Character Strengths - A Practical Guide to Flourishing by Ryan M. Niemiec

  • Letting Everything Become Your Teacher by Jon Kabat-Zinn

  • The Power of Character Strengths by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath

Shine:

At your best,

present and strong.

Are you ready to shine?

Contact Dana for further details.

Looking forward to welcoming you to the Shine Program!