Is your workplace more than just a bit ‘Ugh?’ So you want to belong to a workplace that thrives? You recognise that happy people equal a healthy bottom line but where do you start? Positive psychology in the workplace is essential to manage failure, increase success and boost performance.
What is positive psychology & why is it important?
Think of positive psychology as the science of happiness. Traditional paradigms have examined what doesn’t work. Positive psychology looks at what works instead. Positive psychologist, Christopher Peterson, describes it as “the scientific study of what makes life most worth living”
Rather than directing attention to burnout, failure, stress and constant change, positive psychology at work requires a shift in focus. Positive psychology companies move away from outmoded command and control style. Instead they build workplace cultures where employees are happier, more productive, more creative and, ultimately, more profitable .
Positive psychology in the workplace focuses upon creating the optimum environment for employees to flourish through positive workplace behaviours.
Examples of positive psychology in the workplace
Hundreds of companies have embraced positive psychology. We’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies who want to develop their competitive edge with the science of happiness at work. Positive businesses promote wellbeing creating a positive attitude workplace where employees thrive.
Positive psychology workplace interventions can be employed to
- Develop leadership
- Increase motivation
- Create a more compassionate culture
- Improve performance
- Increase emotional intelligence
- Develop creativity
- Reduce stress
- Increase resilience
How to apply positive psychology in the workplace
1. Develop a growth mindset. Take a look at our piece on Growth Mindset at Work & why it Matters.
2. Identify what you’re good at and use it. Stop focusing on shoring up your weaknesses. Shift your focus to your strengths. Head on over to the VIA Strengths Assessment Identifying and using your strengths will help you to perform more effectively. 77% of people who feel that they are using their strengths in the workplace feel that they are “flourishing, engaged, and able to make things happen at work.”
3. Gratitude Visits. The brain has a negativity bias which means we are usually looking for what it isn’t working well at work. Research by Martin Seligmann prescribes ‘Gratitude Visits’. Take time to notice what or who is working well in your workplace and then create space in the day to visit them and say thank you for their efforts. The John Templeton Foundation found that 88% of people polled reported feeling better about themselves after a colleague had thanked them. Whether you visit in person, write an email or send a card you’ll be creating a positive work environment. Better still, the act of saying thank you will also have a positive impact upon your own wellbeing. Two for the price of one!
Want to know more about positive psychology? Head over to our sister site, Positive Change Guru for free positive psychology resources, including blogs, podcasts, toolkits, videos and psychometrics. Discover more with our free Growth Mindset Toolkit https://positivechangeguru.com/growth-mindset-toolkit/
We work with individuals and Fortune 500 companies to deliver positive psychology at work training, growth mindset at work courses and positive psychology coaching. Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
Originally published at www.korudevelopment.co.uk