1. SSM™ is built on four proven psychological theories
Evidence-based framework
- Carl Jung - Cognitive Types: How you perceive and process information — intuition, thinking, feeling, and sensing.
- William James - Stream of Consciousness: How your preferred time orientation shapes your decisions — past reflections, present awareness, and future anticipations.
- Christopher Peterson & Martin Seligman - VIA-IS (Values in Action Inventory of Strengths): Identifies core character strengths grounded in positive psychology.
- Walter Mischel & Yuichi Shoda - CAPS (Cognitive-Affective Personality System): Shows how situational responses form stable, predictable behavior patterns over time, seamlessly linking Jung's cognitive preferences with James's temporal preferences to produce 12 universal character strengths.
2. SSM™ matrix of 12 strengths
Visualise your profile
- SSM™ maps four Cognitive Preferences—sensing, feeling, thinking, intuition—across three Temporal Preferences: past reflections, present awareness, and future anticipations.
- These combine into cognitive-affective units, which, aggregated across multiple situations, define each individual's ranked profile of 12 Character Strengths.
- The visual mapping below illustrates how your unique profile emerges across the SSM™ matrix.
| Shaw Strengths Matrix™ |
|---|
Character
Strengths | Temporal Preferences |
|---|
Past
Reflections | Present
Awareness | Future
Anticipations |
|---|
Cognitive
Preferences | Intuition | Foresight | Confidence | Courage |
| Thinking | Curiosity | Objectivity | Fairness |
| Feeling | Empathy | Tenacity | Prudence |
| Sensing | Discernment | Practicality | Discipline |
3. Fair, balanced survey design
Every strength counts
- Each strength is tested once against every other strength, resulting in 66 total questions.
- Ensures an accurate, unbiased assessment.
4. Smart ranking algorithm
Clarity of results
- Produces a clear, individualised ranking of all 12 universal strengths based on algorithm logic.
- Groups your strengths into four tiers: Signature, Supporting, Stretch and Occasional.
- Highlights your core character traits with practical, actionable insights.
- Strength cluster chart in team reports is also algorithm driven.
5. Work Activity mapping with O*NET®
From strengths to success
- Matches your strengths to real-world work styles and work activities using the latest O*NET® update (Dec 2025).
- Connects your highest-ranking strengths directly to professional opportunities.