Strengths use and deficit correction in organizations

Although the positive psychology tradition emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach regarding individual strengths and weaknesses, there is no valid instrument to measure these phenomena in organizations. The purpose of the present studies is to develop and validate an instrument that measures four dimensions, namely perceived organizational support (POS) for strengths use, POS for de fi cit correction, strengths use behaviour, and de fi cit correction behaviour. In study 1 and 2, the Strengths Use and De fi cit COrrection (SUDCO) questionnaire was developed and tested for its factor structure, reliability, and convergent and criterion validity in two samples of South African employees ( N = 338 and N = 361, respectively). In study 3, the convergent and criterion validity of the SUDCO were examined in a sample of Dutch engineers ( N = 133). Results indicated that the intended dimensions of strengths use and de fi cit correction can be measured reliably with 24 items and showed convergent validity. Moreover, POS for strengths use and strengths use behaviour correlated positively with self- and manager-ratings of job performance, supporting the criterion validity of these scales. As expected, POS for de fi cit correction and de fi cit correction behaviour were unrelated to the performance ratings.