Positive Psychology is the scientific study of wellbeing that enables individuals, organisations and communities to thrive. It has tremendous potential for cultivating meaningful and fulfilling lives, and enhances the experiences of love, work, and play. Positive Psychology training encourages and teaches the three elements: positive emotions, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. It also focuses on the positive aspects of negative emotions, utilising strengths, growth mindset, active communication styles, high quality connections, resilience, and positive organisational science behind optimal human peak performances. According to Fortune Magazine, Google ranked 1st for the sixth time running for the best companies to work for; therefore, it is no hidden secret that Google, Zappos, and the top best companies cultivate, motivate, and improve their employee performance by using Positive Psychology approaches. There are at least 8 credible findings from world leading HR and People Management companies on the measurable benefits of practising Positive Psychology in the workplace: 33% higher profitability (Gallup) 43% more productivity (Hay Group) 37% higher sales (Shawn Achor) 300% more innovation (Harvard Business Review) 51% lower turnover (Gallup) 50% less safety incidents (Babcock Marine Clyde) 66% decrease in sick leave (Forbes) 125% reduction in burn out rate (Harvard Business Review) Given that we spend more than half of our waking hours at work, it is important for us to foster strengths and resilience, and utilise Positive Psychology techniques in the workplace. Martin Seligman has developed an evidence-based model for wellbeing known as PERMA: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment. Let’s read on to find out how can PERMA be introduced into the workplace, cultivating a resilient and positive work environment! Positive Emotions We flourish when we are happier. When we feel joyous, we tend to set higher goals and persevere to achieve them. We are better able to cope in stressful situations and exhibit better problem solving skills and teamwork. How do we make people happier at the workplace? One way is to cultivate a grateful mind-set by counting our blessings. In doing so, we are training our mental state to look out for, and savour, positive events, rather than allowing it to sink into a negative one. Practise this over time, and you will notice your levels of happiness increasing in the workplace. Engagement Individuals with high career wellbeing are more likely to thrive. When we are engaged in our work, we are fully immersed in a feeling of energised focus, full involvement, and success follows! One way of increasing engagement in workplace is through job crafting by redesigning jobs to better suit individuals’ motives, strengths, and passions. By providing opportunities for employees to explore and use their individual strengths at work, they will enjoy their work and in turn increase their work productivity. Positive Relationships Studies have shown that social wellbeing plays an integral element of our wellbeing. If we do not have strong relationships in our lives, our ability to flourish is limited. With healthy relationships, we are better able to manage stress. As we spend significant amount of our time at work, it is hence important to invest in relationships in the workplace. Companies can provide opportunities for employees to socialise, encourage employees to get together outside of work, and allocate time for employees to catch up on each other’s personal lives during work. Foster healthy relationships in the workplace and you will notice a significant impact on the company as a whole. Meaning It is important for us to identify our meaning in life, so that we can have the intrinsic motivation to work towards it, and increase our life satisfaction, happiness, and wellbeing. Increasing a sense of meaningfulness at work is one of the most important ways to increase productivity, engagement and performance. Companies can rotate job roles for employees to provide meaning in their life, which will allow employees to feel satisfied and engaged in their work. Accomplishment When we achieve something–for instance a goal we set–it makes us feel good and confident about ourselves. The journey of achieving our goal is crucial as once we are able to master it, we will know how to replicate the steps for success. This increases our intrinsic motivation to achieve other subsequent goals, and increase our accomplishment wellbeing. Companies can build accomplishment in the employees by involving their strengths in future discussions about organisational goals. When employees feel accomplished, you will notice an increase in happiness and productivity in the workplace. Regardless if you are an employee, manager or CEO, let’s put these Positive Psychology ideas into practice to foster a happier and more meaningful workplace, and enjoy the benefits!

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