Work has become more complex than ever.
Constant change, growing expectations, and an always-on culture can make it difficult to focus on what really matters – people!
When people feel good, connected and supported, they do great work.
This is where Positive Psychology offers something powerful. Positive psychology is the science of human flourishing. A science backed by research and practical strategies that help individuals and teams truly flourish.
Looking at what is strong, not what is wrong
Conventional workplace thinking often concentrates on resolving issues, such as identifying what is malfunctioning, underperforming, or lacking. Positive Psychology takes a different view. It starts with a simple and powerful shift: focus on what is going well. From there, build the habits, relationships and environments that enable people to grow and thrive.
This might look like asking yourself the following questions:
- What is already working here?
- What are we great at?
- How can we help people do more of what they’re naturally great at?
- What kind of workplace helps people feel their best and perform their best?
This appreciative mindset acknowledges challenges, and adds tools for resilience, creativity and progress.
“What makes some people succeed? How can we create environments where people perform at their best?”
— Positive Psychology at Work, Sue Langley and Sophie Francis
Why strengths matter?
Strengths is a key component to workplace wellbeing. When people use their strengths regularly, they feel more connected to their work, more engaged.The research backs this up. Tapping into strengths leads to:
- Higher resilience and better stress management
- More creativity and collaboration
- Increased motivation and satisfaction
- Stronger performance overall
Energised leaders create results
Recent studies (Shea et al, in press) reveal that positively energising leadership predicted employee engagement and wellbeing even after controlling for other forms of positive leadership, indicating that leaders who create positive relational energy cultivate more engaged, resilient, and high-performing teams.
Being a positively energising leader is not about extraversion / introversion, it is about the authentic positive energy you bring to a conversation, a meeting, a presentation. How do you show up? To do this well, leaders need to look after their own wellbeing. As a team member, we can also bring positive energy to our interactions.
- Consider how you arrive at a meeting – virtual or face to face
- What is your energy like when you walk into the office? Or when you get home?
- Bring a smile or one positive statement to kick start your day.
Where to start
Positive leadership is about starting where you are and choosing to build from what is already strong. Whether you’re working on team culture, supporting others, or navigating change, this approach helps shift the way we lead, communicate, and work together. Small changes in mindset, language or behaviour can ripple out; creating workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to do their best.
Explore how our science-backed courses and tools can support you or your team to flourish. Whether you’re starting your journey or deepening your expertise,
Langley Group is here to help you thrive.
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Let’s create positive change – together.
