Character bridges are extraordinary character qualities (Lige, n.d.) that we all possess within us.

The phrase ‘character bridges’ was conceptualized by Terry Lige and defined by him as ‘internal qualities that express themselves in transformational behaviours’ (Lige, n.d.:5) that allow for operationalization of emotional intelligence.

A phrase you may be familiar with are ‘character strengths’. While character bridges share the basis of what is referred to as qualities of character (Harris, 1997) or character strengths and virtues (Peterson and Seligman, 2004), they are more complex as they represent both trait and competency.

Character Bridges – Trait

The foundation of character bridges are character traits that are considered positive and are contributing to ‘optimal functioning in the pursuit of valued outcomes’ (Pedrotti et al., 2024:46).

Peterson and Seligman further suggest that within these character qualities you possess typically three to seven ‘signature strengths’ (2004:18), which are recognized through your ‘intrinsic motivation to use the strength’ (ibid). Equally important to your emotional well-being is redeveloping what Ryan Niemiec refers to as ‘lost strengths’ (2017:48); character strengths that have been silenced or supressed as the result of external or internal influences such as traumatic or diminishing experiences.

Anchored in positive psychology, character strengths can be measured empirically (Pedrotti et al., 2024). While the publication ‘Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification’ (Peterson and Seligman, 2004) provides a comprehensive classification foundation, there has been no scientifically unified classification system established (Pedrotti et al., 2024). Therefore, the following table (Table 1) offers examples of words that represent cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal character qualities from various literature.

Table 1. Character Bridges/Character Strengths. (Lige, 2025; Niemiec, 2017; Peterson and Seligman, 2004; Wagner and Gander, 2025).

Character Bridges/Character Strengths
Honesty	Trust (self & others)	Vulnerability	Openness	Forgiveness (self & others)
Love	Compassion	Empathy (self and others)	Courage	Determination
Faith/Belief	Acceptance	Self-Control	Discipline	Patience
Gratitude	Loyalty	Vigilance	Commitment	Integrity
Curiosity	Adaptability	Flexibility	Humility	Optimism
Creativity	Appreciation	Kindness	Accountability	Responsibility
Perseverance	Authenticity	Self-Respect	Generosity	Resilience

When your negative core beliefs are triggered through external or internal stimuli, resulting in maladaptive emotions, thoughts and behaviours, character bridges provide a path toward the reframing process (Beck and Beck, 2020; Lige, n.d.).

Character Bridges – Competency

Character bridges are not simply traits but lead to meaningful change when actively integrated into behaviour. Beginning with awareness of the desired change, you can evaluate the external or internal stimuli and choose an appropriate character bridge to intentionally operationalize (Beck and Beck, 2020; Lige, n.d.).

Bringing the dimension of competency to character strengths encourages you to take an active role in your life, even if circumstances are beyond your control, and adds a layer of personal responsibility (Beck and Beck, 2020; Lige, n.d.). In practical application, the process of operationalizing character bridges is often required to happen in real-time, a skill that can be developed. Selecting which character bridge(s) to act upon takes practice, is personal, and often does not present a right or wrong choice (Beck and Beck, 2020; Lige, n.d.).

Placing the words ‘act of…’ in front of a character quality that a person chooses to operationalize facilitates the shift from awareness to management in emotional intelligence (Lige, 2025). Stepping into these transformational behaviours allows you to reframe your beliefs, emotions, thoughts, as well as make an active shift from maladaptive to adaptive behaviours (Beck and Beck, 2020; Lige, n.d.).

Clear awareness of your motivation, combined with intentional choice in utilizing character bridges, determines adaptive or maladaptive use, as is the case with anything in the domain of emotional intelligence (Goleman, 2020; Lige, 2025; Peterson and Seligman, 2004). Successfully utilizing character bridges require you to step out of self-judgement and into personal accountability (Lige, n.d.). Clarity of the motivation behind utilizing a character bridge is equally important.

Although strengths can and do produce desirable outcomes, each strength is morally valued in its own right, even in the absence of obvious beneficial outcomes. (Peterson and Seligman, 2004:19)

Learning to sustainably utilize character bridges can help you integrate them into your identity and advance your emotional intelligence (Lige, n.d.; Peterson and Seligman, 2004). Understanding and utilizing character bridges is essential in your journey towards improved emotional self-awareness and self-management (Beck and Beck, 2020; Lige, n.d.).

In the context of anxiety, character bridges provide an opportunity for you to shift from anxiety-inducing uncertainty to anxiety-calming clarity and a feeling of agency that it is possible to move from maladaptive to adaptive beliefs, emotions, thoughts, and behaviours (Beck and Beck, 2020; Lige, n.d.). Character bridges raise hope by allowing you to step into an active role in creating your future.

References

Beck, J.S., Beck, A.T. (2020). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Third Edition: Basics and Beyond. New York: The Guildford Press.

Goleman, D. (2020). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.

Harris, G.W. (1997). Dignity and Vulnerability: Strength and Quality of Character. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Lige, T. (2025). Connections Program Manual. Inside Out Leadership Development Group. Unpublished.

Lige, T. (n.d.). Being You – Lead Your Life from the Inside Out Coaching. Inside Out Leadership Development Group. Unpublished.

Niemiec, R.M. (2017). Character Strengths Interventions: A Field Guide for Practitioners. Boston: Hogrefe Publishing.

Pedrotti, J.T., Lopez, S.J., McDermott, R.C., Snyder, C.R. (2024). Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.

Peterson, C., Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Cary: Oxford University Press.

Wagner, L., Gander, F. (2025). ‘Character Strength Traits, States, and Emotional Well‐Being: A Daily Diary Study.’ Journal of Personality, 93(2) pp. 341–360. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12933