ATD Blog
Applied Positive Psychology: A Happier You, A Better Organization
Thu Oct 10 2013
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Have you ever wondered what it takes to achieve sustained well-being, happiness, and results? Fortunately, there is a substantial body of research demonstrating just how we can experience more personal fulfillment and how organizations can capitalize on healthier, more engaged employees. It is called Positive Psychology—aka, the Science of Happiness.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to achieve sustained well-being, happiness, and results? Fortunately, there is a substantial body of research demonstrating just how we can experience more personal fulfillment and how organizations can capitalize on healthier, more engaged employees. It is called Positive Psychology—aka, the Science of Happiness.
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University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Marty Seligman can be credited for coining the term “a positive psychology” during his tenure with the American Psychological Association. It is unlikely he could have known the impact this burgeoning science would have on individuals, organizations, and communities only 15 years later. It is a growing field with acres of open space in which we have come a great distance in a short period of time.
University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Marty Seligman can be credited for coining the term “a positive psychology” during his tenure with the American Psychological Association. It is unlikely he could have known the impact this burgeoning science would have on individuals, organizations, and communities only 15 years later. It is a growing field with acres of open space in which we have come a great distance in a short period of time.
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Here are a few examples to illustrate the impact of positive psychology:
Here are a few examples to illustrate the impact of positive psychology:
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Successful companies like Google, Zappos, and Genentech have Chief Happiness Officers and rely on outside consultants to implement massive well-being initiatives.
Successful companies like Google, Zappos, and Genentech have Chief Happiness Officers and rely on outside consultants to implement massive well-being initiatives.
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Currently there are two Applied Positive Psychology graduate programs in the United States.
Currently there are two Applied Positive Psychology graduate programs in the United States.
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Four organizations (including ours) offer business consultants an opportunity to receive a Positive Psychology Coaching Certification.
Four organizations (including ours) offer business consultants an opportunity to receive a Positive Psychology Coaching Certification.
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In 2009, the Department of Defense hired prominent positive psychologists to drive well-being and results within the Army—at a cost of $34 million dollars.
In 2009, the Department of Defense hired prominent positive psychologists to drive well-being and results within the Army—at a cost of $34 million dollars.
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What is positive psychology, really?
What is positive psychology, really?
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In simplest terms, positive psychology is a branch of science concerned with positive human functioning—that is, understanding what works well. Whereas traditional psychology is focused on alleviating the suffering from illnesses like depression and anxiety, positive psychology investigates ways to help healthy organizations, individuals, and communities grow and flourish. Applied positive psychology aids in finding answers to questions like:
In simplest terms, positive psychology is a branch of science concerned with positive human functioning—that is, understanding what works well. Whereas traditional psychology is focused on alleviating the suffering from illnesses like depression and anxiety, positive psychology investigates ways to help healthy organizations, individuals, and communities grow and flourish. Applied positive psychology aids in finding answers to questions like:
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What got us this far? What do successful organizations and individuals do really well?
What got us this far? What do successful organizations and individuals do really well?
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How can we be more engaged and fulfilled at work and in life?
How can we be more engaged and fulfilled at work and in life?
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How can we experience greater satisfaction in all that we do?
How can we experience greater satisfaction in all that we do?
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How can we make lasting positive performance changes?
How can we make lasting positive performance changes?
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What roles do relationships play in success?
What roles do relationships play in success?
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What makes people experience greater job satisfaction and engagement at work?
What makes people experience greater job satisfaction and engagement at work?
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Why is it important for us to find meaning in our careers?
Why is it important for us to find meaning in our careers?
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What motivates intrinsic positive performance, and what stifles organizational achievement?
What motivates intrinsic positive performance, and what stifles organizational achievement?
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Why so much buzz surrounding applied positive psychology?
Why so much buzz surrounding applied positive psychology?
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Although research in positive psychology has been ongoing for years, more and more people in the mainstream currently are being exposed to this powerful work through books, academia, and the media. Many business leaders also are turning to this established body of research to answer the question, “How can I bring sustainable well-being to my organization?”
Although research in positive psychology has been ongoing for years, more and more people in the mainstream currently are being exposed to this powerful work through books, academia, and the media. Many business leaders also are turning to this established body of research to answer the question, “How can I bring sustainable well-being to my organization?”
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The self-improvement industry demonstrates a positive impact on individuals through the sale of millions of books, the facilitation of thousands of seminars, and the making of 14,000 business and life coaches in the United States alone. Positive psychology takes questions about human flourishing and performance much further by introducing research-validated interventions that build sustainable well-being and organizational performance.
The self-improvement industry demonstrates a positive impact on individuals through the sale of millions of books, the facilitation of thousands of seminars, and the making of 14,000 business and life coaches in the United States alone. Positive psychology takes questions about human flourishing and performance much further by introducing research-validated interventions that build sustainable well-being and organizational performance.
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As positive performance interventions become imbedded within the personal improvement industry, the combination of scientific rigor and organizational coaching seems a perfect match. We are seeing research-based methodologies gain traction within more conventional organizational development programs, and, as a result, there is a complementary pairing of these two worlds. To borrow from our friend and colleague, renowned positive psychologist and author, Tal Ben-Shahar: These two fields coming together create a bridge between the Ivory Tower and Main Street.
As positive performance interventions become imbedded within the personal improvement industry, the combination of scientific rigor and organizational coaching seems a perfect match. We are seeing research-based methodologies gain traction within more conventional organizational development programs, and, as a result, there is a complementary pairing of these two worlds. To borrow from our friend and colleague, renowned positive psychologist and author, Tal Ben-Shahar: These two fields coming together create a bridge between the Ivory Tower and Main Street.
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In future posts, our attention will turn to examining research associated with the acronym PERMA, coined by Dr. Martin Seligman. We will discover how each of these elements of well-being can greatly affect our organizations, our families, and our lives.
In future posts, our attention will turn to examining research associated with the acronym PERMA, coined by Dr. Martin Seligman. We will discover how each of these elements of well-being can greatly affect our organizations, our families, and our lives.
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Positive emotions (pleasure)
Positive emotions (pleasure)
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Engagement (flow)
Engagement (flow)
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Relationships
Relationships
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Meaning
Meaning
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Accomplishment
Accomplishment
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More on the PERMA model . For more on the positive workplace, read the full blog series .
More on the PERMA model. For more on the positive workplace, read the full blog series.