Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Kristin is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research. In addition to writing numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic, she’s the author of the book, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself and creator of the CD series Self-Compassion Step by Step: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.  In conjunction with her colleague, Dr. Chris Germer, she’s developed an 8-week training program called Mindful Self-Compassion.

In this conversation, you will hear Kristin talk about self-compassion. She explains why our fear of failure and anxiety over performance are the two biggest reasons we don’t do as well as we should and shares how the simple practices of self-compassion can help us to feel more confident, motivated and resilient.

Connect with Kristin Neff:

Website: http://self-compassion.org/

You’ll Learn:

• [01:58] – Kristin provides some cultural and biological reasons that self-criticism is often our first response when things don’t go to plan.
• [04:06] – Kristin shares what her research shows to indicate that self-compassion is a better response in these moments.
• [05:41] – Kristin describes some of the key skills people can learn through her program on self-compassion.
• [07:26] – Kristin lists a few self-compassion practices that are ideal for work settings.
• [09:17] – Kristin talks about the universal sound for comfort and compassion.
• [13:49] – Kristin discusses the importance of self-compassion in the mix of other positive psychology practices.
• [14:33] – Kristin shares some things organizations and leaders can do to encourage self-compassion practices.
• [17:13] – Kristin explains “backdraft” and the types of people that may struggle with implementing self-compassion practices.
• [19:20] – Kristin reports that women are less self-compassion, but more compassionate to others than men.
• [20:58] – The Lightning Round with Kristin Neff

Your Resources:

• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
• The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions - Christopher K. Germer and Sharon Salzberg

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Kristin for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Duncan Young is the head of Workplace Health and Well-being at Lend Lease. Duncan is a passionate advocate for the positive impact of workplaces on our health.  

In this conversation, you will hear Duncan talk about the techniques he has helped implement in his organization to help leaders make well-being improvements. Leaders can make these changes based on the information they gather by wearing a heart-rate monitor, keeping the diary, and learning about improving the energy profile.  

Connect with Duncan Young:

LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/duncan-young-6708389

You’ll Learn:

• [01:40] - Duncan explains why improving well-being is such an important issue for Lend Lease and why leaders are becoming more aware of this importance.
• [02:44] - Duncan believes we are becoming aware of the impact lifestyle have.
• [03:20] - Duncan shares details on the programs he has created at Lend Lease to help leaders understand their well-being has on their performance.
• [04:28] - Duncan describes the technology they are using to help leaders understand how their everyday choices impact their well-being.
• [05:35] - Duncan explains how a diary is used in this process.
• [06:51] - Duncan talks about the ideal balance of energy expenditure and energy renewal at work. 
• [08:25] - Duncan shares what individuals can take away from the information from the programs he’s developed.
• [09:18] - Duncan provides some examples of the techniques people can implement to improve their profile.
• [11:25] - Duncan lists a few out-of-the-box ways to restore energy levels.
• [12:55] - Duncan explains how collecting data can help individuals make changes.
• [14:38] - Duncan believes it is important for leaders to share this information and these techniques with employees.
• [16:31] - Duncan talks about how small changes can become embedded in the company culture and give individuals the support to improve well-being.  
• [17:52] - Duncan shares one caution for organizations wanting to improve well-being.
• [18:34] - The Lightning Round with Duncan Young.

Your Resources:

• The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity - Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Duncan for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Dr. Alia Crum is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Her award-winning research focuses on how changes in our subjective mindsets can alter our objective reality through behavioral, psychological, and physiological mechanisms. She is an organizational training and consultant on mindset change and stress management.

A mindset is a lens in which you view the world. The mindsets we choose play a dramatic role in shaping our physiology and behavior.  In this conversation, you will hear Alia discuss some of her fascinating studies and the findings from those studies. She specifically talks about mindset with stress, exercise, and food indulgence.

Connect with Alia Crum:

Website: http://mbl.stanford.edu

You’ll Learn:

• [01:40] - Alia sets the framework for this conversation by explaining what a mindset is and how they work.
• [02:31] - Alia lists some of the things that shape our mindset and why they shape the way we feel and act.  
• [04:15] - Alia talks about some of her research and findings. She discusses a mindset intervention she did with hotel room attendants in regards to exercise. Another study was on food indulgence.
• [07:57] - Alia describes her studies on stress and mindset.
• [11:23] - Alia talks about sharing the full truth of stress, then talking about the power of mindset and a 3-step approach.  She shares what this 3-step approach is.
• [14:06] - Alia shares the overall purpose of a mindset shift.
• [15:07] - Alia explains that mindsets on gender can impact organizations.
• [16:04] - Alia describes how organizations can become more aware of mindsets.  
• [17:43] - Alia shares what is currently on her mind in regards to mindsets.
• [19:24] - The Lightning Round with Alia Crum.

Your Resources:

• The Magic of Conflict: Turning a Life of Work into a Work of Art - Thomas Crum
• Journey to Center: Lessons in Unifying Body, Mind, and Spirit - Thomas Crum
• Three Deep Breaths: Finding Power and Purpose in a Stressed-Out World - Thomas Crum

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Alia for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Barry Schwartz is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Swarthmore College and a visiting professor at the Haas School of Business at Berkeley. Barry spent 40 years thinking and writing about the interaction between economics and morality. He has written several best-selling books, including The Paradox of Choice and Why We Work. Barry’s Ted Talks have been viewed by more than 14 million people.

When it comes to making decisions do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of choices you have? It seems that while choice is good for your wellbeing, more choice isn’t necessarily better – there’s a tipping point where too many options can paralyze you and lead to regrets.  Hear how adapting a ‘good enough’ strategy, rather than searching for the ultimate best option, can help you navigate more successfully through your choices and improve your wellbeing and how these practices can be applied in workplaces.

Connect with Barry Schwartz:

Website – http://www.swarthmore.edu/profile/barry-schwartz

Ted Talks – https://www.ted.com/speakers/barry_schwartz

You’ll Learn:

• [01:58] – Barry shares the dogma he believes that guides many western industrialized societies that is undermining our wellbeing.
• [03:38] – Barry talks about how having too many choices can lead to bad decisions and regrets.
• [04:54] – Barry explains the difference between maximizing and satisficing strategies when it comes to your choices.
• [06:48] – Barry shares how organizations with a culture of ‘good enough’ are likely to result in more satisfied, productive and effective employees.
• [10:20] – Barry talks about growth mindset and clarifies that having high standards and an end-result to aim for can keep you motivated on the journey.
• [11:41] – Barry shares his thoughts on balancing your inner-critic and self-compassion.
• [13:50] – Barry explains his researcher with Adam Grant on the “The Inverted U” and why you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to improving your wellbeing.
• [18:50] – Barry believes that it’s possible for every worker at every company to find meaning and fulfillment from their jobs and explains how.
• [20:36] – The Lightning Round with Barry Schwartz

Your Resources:

• Too Much of a Good Thing – Barry Schwartz & Adam M. Grant
• Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being – Martin Seligman
• Grit: The Power and Passion of Perseverance – Angela Duckworth
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Barry for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Emily Esfahani Smith is a graduate of Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania, where she now serves as an instructor.  Emily draws on psychology, philosophy, and literature to research and writes about the human experience.  She is the author of the best-selling book, The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters.  

Research shows that people who value happiness in the way our culture encourages us to do are left feeling empty and unhappy. What brings true happiness and satisfaction is meaning.  We all want to know that our lives matter.  In this conversation, you will hear Emily share the four pillars of meaning and the small, practical ways you can find meaning in your work no matter what your job description or your boss says. 

Connect with Emily Esfahani Smith:

Website – http://emilyesfahanismith.com

Twitter – @EmEsfahaniSmith

You’ll Learn:

• [01:44] – Emily explains why meaning matters when looking at wellbeing.  
• [03:41] – Emily shares what her research shows might make life more meaningful.
• [06:35] – While people are reporting their sense of loneliness is escalating, Emily provides some examples of how we can increase our sense of belonging at work.
• [09:16] – Emily says that if we don’t feel a sense of belonging, it may be up to us to reach out and connect with others and explains how we can do this at work.
• [10:03] – Emily puts “purpose” into context and shares how we can find purpose in our jobs.
• [12:45] – Emily explains how storytelling provides a path to meaning.
• [15:30] – Emily discusses Laura King’s exercise with our lost selves and how that might help us with storytelling.
• [17:50] – Emily talks about The Moth and how it creates an environment for storytelling.
• [18:56] – When looking at transcendence, Emily shares why aura is important to our sense of meaning.
• [20:53] – The Lightning Round with Emily Esfahani Smith.

Your Resources:

• The Moth
• Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude – Jim Collins and Michael S. Erwin
• Middlemarch – George Eliot and Rosemary Ashton

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

 And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Emily for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Paige Williams is a Positive Change Solutionary who uses the science of wellbeing to create sustainable positive change within individuals and organizations.  She is a lecturer with The Center for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne.

In this conversation, you will hear Paige share her research on how an Inside-Out-Outside-In approach to improving wellbeing can help to improve work happiness in organizations.  Paige explains how achieving successful and sustainable change relies on the dynamic interplay been the individual and the system that they are part of and the practical strategies organizations can use to create upward and sustainable spirals of wellbeing.

Connect with Paige Williams:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-williams/

You’ll Learn:

• [01:48] –  Paige published a paper, Inside-Out-Outside-In: A Dual Approach Model To Developing Work Happiness.  She explains this approach to wellbeing in workplaces.
• [04:52] – Paige explains how workplaces can leverage the factors that help us to improve from the inside out.
• [05:59] – Paige lists the factors that make up psychological capital and how they can influence outside in elements.
• [07:42] – Paige describes how a three-day positive psychology training intervention helped build psychological capital in people.
• [10:43] – Paige talks about using Kim Cameron’s Positive Practices framework to help organizations build more positive cultures.
• [12:15] – Paige lists the insights she shares with leaders who are looking to improve workplace wellbeing.
• [14:44] – Paige talks about helping organizations and individuals implement and sustain these wellbeing practices.  
• [16:05] – Paige talks about how leaders can provide people with opportunities to reinforce the positive training they’ve received.
• [17:02] – Paige discusses what she would like to research in the future.
• [19:11] – The Lightning Round with Paige Williams

Your Resources:

• Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error – Kathryn Schulz
• Positive Psychology as Social Change – Robert Biwas-Diener

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Paige for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Christine Porath is an associate professor at the School of Business at Georgetown University.  Christine’s research focuses on leadership, organizational culture, the effects of bad behavior in workplaces, and how organizations can create a more positive environment where people can thrive. She recently released a new book, Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace.

How often does someone’s rude or insensitive behavior zap your energy and motivation? Unfortunately it seems that incivility is on the rise in our workplaces.  It can undermine your work performance, and your mental and physical wellbeing. Listen to Christine share strategies on buffering the negative effects of incivility and building more civil organizations.

Connect with Christine Porath:

• ChristinePorath.com

You’ll Learn:

• [01:48] – Christine defines “incivility” and says that it has become more prevalent in workplaces.  
• [04:44] – Christine explains that the number one thing driving incivility is stress and feeling overwhelmed. She also talks about technology’s role in civility.
• [06:20] – Christine describes the cost to employees and workplaces from tolerating incivility.  
• [08:13] – Christine shares some tips on how to handle incivility.  
• [11:04] – Christine talks about why wellbeing is the best antidote to incivility.
• [12:30] – Christine asks, “Who do you want to be?”  She explains why answering this question each day may determine our success.
• [14:36] – The Cycle to Civility is a four step process for organizations to become more civil places.
• [18:34] – Christine talks about where civility can go awry.
• [20:13] – There are simple techniques to improve our civility. Christine shares some of these.
• [23:21] – The Lightning Round with Christine Porath.

Your Resources:

• The Price of Incivility
• What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful – Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
• Triggers: Creating Behaviors That Last — Becoming the Person You Want to Be – Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance – Angela Duckworth
• Resisting Happiness – Matthew Kelly

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Christine for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Ellen Langer is a Harvard psychology professor and the director of the Langer Mindfulness Institute.  She has been described as “The Mother of Mindfulness” and has authored 11 books and more than 200 articles. Her work has influenced two decades of research in positive psychology.  

In this conversation, you will hear Ellen share why mindfulness doesn’t require you to sit in hours of meditation.  She explains the benefits she has found over 40 years of research for the practice of mindfulness in workplaces and what leaders can do practically to be more mindful and how they can help the people they lead to do the same. 

Connect with Ellen Langer:

Websites:

• EllenLanger.com
• LangerMindfulnessInstitute.com

You’ll Learn:

• [01:30] – Ellen explains why “mindfulness” as the process of noticing new things.
• [02:15] – Ellen lists some benefits of mindfulness in workplaces.
• [06:07] – Ellen talks about the practical ways leads can be more mindful.  
• [08:35] – Ellen provides an example of a mindful company that turned a failed product into a successful product.
• [11:58] – Ellen shares how we can approach the same task differently, depending on our perception of that task and the impact this can have on our performance.
• [13:53] – Ellen explains the simple changes we can each make to be more mindful.
• [18:15] – Ellen shares the benefits she’s found of having happier workplaces
• [18:55] – Ellen talks about the impact mindfulness can have on our health.

Your Resources:

• The Art of Noticing – Ellen J Langer
• The Dinner Party: Stories – Joshua Ferris
• Making It Work cheat-sheet

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Ellen for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Roy Baumeister is one of the world’s most prolific and influential psychologists. He has published well over 500 scientific articles and more than 30 books. In 2013, he received the highest award given by the Association for Psychological Science, the William James Fellow Award. He is a professor of Psychology at Florida State University.  

Wish you had more willpower to stick to your resolutions?  Roy’s early studies found that generally self-control works like a muscle – it gets tired when you exercise it, but if you exercise it a lot, it seems to get stronger. Recently he is finding a link between your willpower and your body’s energy system, so when you are feeling tired, hungry, or run down your levels of self-control may be lower. Hear how self-control can help you manage the challenges of life.

Connect with Roy Baumeister:

Website: http://www.roybaumeister.com/

You’ll Learn:

• [01:45] – Roy explains why self-control seems more important and powerful than self-esteem.
• [04:30] – Roy describes his findings on how self-control works.
• [07:01] – Roy comments on a recent study by Carol Dweck where if you believe you have unlimited willpower you will be less likely to deplete it.
• [09:40] – Roy’s current research is finding that when your willpower is depleted you’re more likely to jump to conclusions.
• [14:08] – Roy talks about self-defeating behavior, specifically in situations with short-term gain and long-term loss.
• [17:36] – Roy explains that people with good self-control generally have fewer stresses and problems.
• [19:35] – Roy shares some insights on when and how to make positive changes in your life.
• [20:17] – The Lightning Round with Roy Baumeister

Your Resources:

• Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength – Roy Baumeister and John Tierney
• A Natural History of Human Morality – Michael Tomasello
• Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage, and Monogamy – Mark Regnerus

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Roy for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Garry Davis’ corporate career has included more than a decade in executive HR and OD roles in public and private sectors.  His work in leadership development and applied positive psychology has been recognized through various awards.  

In this conversation, you’ll hear Garry share his award-winning approach to introducing positive leadership into organizations and his tips for embedding these behaviors to create lasting changes.  Garry also shares the surprising truths he learned about organizational cynics and how to manage them through the change process.

Connect with Garry Davis:

Website - thestylewisegroup.com

• [01:47] – Garry shares takeaways from his award-winning work.  He explains the importance of context.  
• [05:13] – Garry explains why a one-size fits all approach may not work when considering smaller teams within an organization.  There can be different cultures with these teams.
• [07:18] – Garry shares his award-winning case study for the introduction of positive leadership into a workplace.
• [09:19] – After the conversation is changed, the behaviors need to be embedded. This takes time and using this company as an example, Garry talks about the time-frame to reach sustainability.
• [13:48] – Garry talks about early adopters and laggers and the impact they can have on implementing these practices.  He draws a parallel to the movie, Toy Story.  
• [18:03] – Garry shares what the strategy should be when it comes to the “terrorists” that don’t immediately buy in.
• [19:56] – Garry shares that there may be companies that are not ready for positive psychology practices.
• [21:10] – The Lightning Round with Garry Davis.

Your Resources:

• The Positive Business Conference
• Employee Engagement in Theory and Practice – Catherine Truss and Kirsten Alfes

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Garry for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Sue Ashford is a professor in management and organization at the University of Michigan.  Her research interests include leader effectiveness and development, issue selling, self-management and feedback processes in organizations.  

Are you keen to step up to a leadership role but worried you aren’t quite ready?  Sue suggests that everyone has leadership potential, and you learn leadership mostly from experience.  But if you’re racing through your experiences mindlessly, you could be missing out on a lot of learning.  By mindfully engaging in your experiences, and being open to growing, developing your skills and getting feedback you can be more effective at learning leadership skills.

Connect with Sue Ashford:

Sue’s Website

You’ll Learn:

• [01:42] – Sue will be presenting at the upcoming Positive Business Conference on ‘Control Your Own Destiny: Leadership Development through Mindful Engagement.’
• [03:41] – Sue discusses the leadership is part skill, part mindset, and in part risk.
• [05:32] – Sue defines ‘mindful engagement’ as a set of practices that allow you to learn more from the experiences you’re in.
• [07:53] – Sue explains that it’s not possible to be mindful every moment of every day, but she says that you can be mindful in certain experiences.
• [12:45] – Sue says that experimentation with different approaches allows you to find what works and doesn’t work.
• [14:08] – Both anxiety and too much positivity can prevent learning. Emotion regulation can keep your emotions in a middle ground.
• [15:48] –Referring to yourself in the third person has been found to help regulate emotions.
• [17:14] – Sue talks about feedback-seeking and explains two strategies for gaining this information.
• [20:20] – Sue explains why managers struggle with reflection.
• [23:15] – The Lightning Round with Sue Ashford.

Your Resources:

• The Positive Business Conference
• A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Being a Better Leader – Ari Weinzweig
• Betwixt and between identities: Liminal experience in contemporary careers – Herminia Ibarra

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Sue for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Edwin Locke is the Dean’s Professor of Motivation and Leadership Emeritus at the University of Maryland.  He has published over 300 chapters and articles in professional journals on topics such as motivation, job satisfaction, incentives and the philosophy of science.  He is internationally known for his research on goal-setting.

Goals are critical in helping us create change in our lives, and yet most people struggle to stick with the goals they set. In this conversation, you’ll hear Ed explain the importance of setting goals and what his 35 years of research has discovered about setting effective goals and why SMART goals may not be as smart as you thought they were.

Connect with Edwin Locke:

Website: http://edwinlocke.com

You’ll Learn:

• [01:37] – Ed explains that life is a goal-directed process and if we remain passive in setting goals it’s unlikely we will thrive.
• [04:44] – Ed shares why people struggle with goals.  
• [06:14] – Ed explains why we should be setting difficult goals for ourselves.
• [07:08] – Ed describes the difference between a performance goal and a learning goal.  
• [09:18] – Ed explains why SMART goals are incomplete.  
• [10:55] – Ed shares the power of goal hierarchies and how to avoid goal conflicts.
• [12:16] – Ed reminds us that it’s important to set goals for your own life and not setting goals to “show off” or goals based on someone else’s life.
• [13:45] – Ed explains why “emotional intelligence” is over-rated for leadership.
• [15:00] – The Lightning Round with Ed Locke

Your Resources:

• American Psychologist Article – Building A Useful Theory  Of Goal Setting & Task Motivation
• Selfish Path to Romance: How to Love with Passion and Reason – Edwin Locke and Ellen Kenner
• New Developments in Goal Setting and Task Performance – Edwin Locke and Gary Latham

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Ed for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Peggy Kern is a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education in the Center for Positive Psychology. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, and her research addresses the question, “Who flourishes, and why?”

Are we oversimplifying positive psychology?  While the field has made much progress over the last 15 years in helping people find ways to improve their wellbeing, however, at best interventions are only beneficial for some people, some of the time, and are far from a magic bullet for everyone in all situations.  Peggy suggests combining positive psychology’s focus on the individual with systems science to take into account the complex reality of our everyday contexts, could assist target interventions for individuals and the collective good.

Connect with Peggy Kern:

Website: http://peggykern.org

You’ll Learn:

• [01:36] – Peggy has been working with a team of collaborators at Melbourne University that merges positive psychology with systems science to create positive systems science. She explains this merging of two interdisciplinary fields.
• [04:49] – Peggy shares how systems science helps us figure out which positive psychology interventions will be helpful for specific outcomes at different times.
• [11:10] – Peggy talks about how a systems map helps discover the relationships between things.
• [13:12] – Systems are complex, dynamic and changing.
• [15:13] – Peggy talks about how system science needs to be developed to help people flourish.
• [17:23] – Peggy addresses how we can get organizations to see themselves as wellbeing systems.
• [18:24] – To determine if a system is flourishing, measurement is necessary. Peggy talks about how the measurements work.
• [21:08] – This is the early days of this type of thinking.  Peggy shares some resources for you to learn more, such as her blog.
• [22:08] – The lightning round with Peggy Kern.

Your Resources:

• The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources – Lynne Twist
• Peggy’s Positive Systems Science Blog
• Understanding Systems Science: A Visual and Integrative Approach – Andreas Hieronymi

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Peggy for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Professor Carol Dweck is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading researchers in the fields of personality, social psychology, and developmental psychology.  She has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the US Academy of Sciences and won nine lifetime achievement awards for her research.  Her work is used by organizations around the world to transform their cultures.

In this conversation, you will hear Carol talk about fixed and growth mindsets and how her research has found they can impact our performance at work.  She draws on her experience of helping organizations implement this type of mindset to share the small changes workplaces can make to cultivate growth mindset environments and where this can go wrong. 

Connect with Carol Dweck:

Website: http://mindsetonline.com/abouttheauthor/

You’ll Learn:

• [02:10] – Carol explains the differences between fixed and growth mindsets, according to her research.
• [04:56] – Carol shares how her studies have found that when there is a fixed mindset culture with an organization, there’s a lot of unethical and unhealthy behaviors because of the pursuit of outcomes.
• [08:41] – Carol shares that innovation is coming out of growth mindset companies at a higher rate.
• [10:22] – Carol’s recent article in the Harvard Business Review points out some of the misconceptions around growth mindsets in workplaces.  She explains what those misconceptions are.
• [13:00] – Carol talks about how Microsoft are cultivating growth mindsets across their teams.
• [19:32] – Carol explains why she believes self-compassion works well with a growth mindset.
• [23:20] – Carol shares where the growth mindset and these strategies can go wrong and the importance of evaluation.
• [24:16] – The Lightning Round with Carol Dweck.

Your Resources:

• Carol’s article in Harvard Business Review: What Having a “Growth Mindset” Actually Means
• How Microsoft Uses Growth Mindset to Develop Leaders
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol Dweck

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Carol for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley.  He is also the faculty director of The Greater Good Science Center. Dacher’s research focuses on the biological and evolutionary origins of compassion, love, beauty, power, social class, and inequality.

Do you run towards or away from having more power?  Often perceived as the need to manipulate, coerce or dominate others, it turns out that power is actually the ability to make a difference in the world by influencing others.   As a result power is not something to be taken, but given to us through the practices of empathy, kindness, generosity and gratitude.  The paradox however is that as our power grows from these practices, it often ends up disconnecting us from the very people we serve.  So how can we navigate the power paradox?

Connect with Dacher Keltner:

Website – http://psychology.berkeley.edu/people/dacher-keltner

You’ll Learn:

• [01:35] – Dacher defines “power” as your capacity to influence other people.
• [06:53] – Dacher explains that there are small things you can do to feel more powerful.
• [09:05] – Dacher speaks about Adam Grant’s work on keeping your generosity right for the context.
• [13:06] – Dacher explains how feeling powerful helps ignite your approach system by focusing on rewards, and when you’re not feeling powerful it trigger your inhibition system making you more aware of risks.
• [15:05] – Dacher gives strategies to use to overcome the power paradox.
• [23:32] – Dacher shares some thoughts on servant leadership.
• [24:59] – Dacher explains what a future workplace looks like with shared power.
• [26:40] – The Lightning Round with Dacher Keltner

Your Resources:

• Born to be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life – Dacher Keltner
• The Compassionate Instinct: The Science of Human Goodness – Dacher Keltner
• The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence – Dacher Keltner
• Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals – Frans B. M. de Waal
• The Ethics for a New Millennium – Dalai Lama
• The Greater Good Science Center
• The Varieties of Religious Experience – William James

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Dacher for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Vanessa King is a board member of Action for Happiness, which is a UK-based not-for-profit that focuses on proactively building skills for psychological well-being and resilience. She’s also the architect of the Ten Keys to Happier Living. She joins me on this episode to talk about

In this episode, you will hear Vanessa’s Ten Keys to Happier Living, which form the acronym, GREAT DREAM.  Vanessa lists these ten keys and describes how they can bring about happier living.  She also talks about her program, Doing Well From the Inside Out and describes some of the success she’s seen through that program with building well-being in the workplace.  As technology changes the landscape of business and the future becomes more difficult to predict, getting back to the basics with well-being is more important than ever.

Connect with Vanessa King:

Action for Happiness
Ten Keys to Happier Living

You’ll Learn:

• [01:45] - Vanessa explains that the Ten Keys to Happier Living are areas that we can take action in to help ourselves and other people be happier.  
• [02:14] - GREAT DREAM is the acronym for these ten keys and Vanessa walks us through each of the keys.  
• [05:40] - Vanessa talks about how people can stick with these shifts.  She explains that approaching these changes with an attitude of experimentation rather than lifestyle transformation where to set expectations.
• [06:30] - Vanessa explains how sharing what you’re doing with other people can help create momentum through accountability.
• [08:57] - The evidence is still out on these strategies, but Vanessa shares why she believes it’s possible long-term improvements in people’s well-being.
• [11:40] - Vanessa emphasizes that these are ten keys to happier living, not ten keys to happiness.
• [14:06] - Vanessa talks about her program, Doing Well From the Inside Out, which helps build well-being in the workplace.  
• [15:47] - Vanessa shares a few stories about participants that went through this and other programs who experienced transformations.
• [18:34] - Vanessa explains how she presents these strategies to businesses.  She shares there’s a need to think about organizations systemically.
• [22:30] - Technology makes it difficult to predict the future in business.  Vanessa explains that requires us to get back to the basics with happy living.
• [23:14] - The Lightning Round with Vanessa King.

Your Resources:

• Mindful Compassion: How the Science of Compassion Can Help You Understand Your Emotions, Live in the Present, and Connect Deeply with Others - Paul Gilbert PhD
• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself - Kristin Neff
• Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul - Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Vanessa for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

George Bonanno is professor of clinical psychology, Director of the Lost Trauma and Emotion Lab, and Director of The Resilience Center for Veterans and Families at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. George’s research focuses on resilience in the fact of loss and traumatic events.  

Most of us have the natural tools to deal with extreme adversities in our lives. We cope well when extreme things happen to us.  To deal with the world around us, it takes a repertoire of behaviors.  Sometimes, this involves what George calls “coping ugly.”  Sometimes we might need to do something that doesn’t seem pretty but is reasonably effective.  

Connect with George Bonanno:

Website for Lost Trauma and Emotion Lab

You’ll Learn:

• [01:55] - George will be presenting on loss, trauma, and resilience at the 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology.  He shares what he would like attendees to take home from his presentation. 
• [03:45] - Media coverage ensures that we are aware of negative events.  The negative psychological consequences can be overcome, and eventually they go away.
• [05:38] - George believes that resilience is natural and speaks to the fact that organizations are spending money on trying to enhance resilience.
• [08:50] - George talks about the behaviors that make us cope better.   
• [11:43] - “Coping ugly” is a phrase that George coined and he talks about what this means.  
• [12:55] - George talks about how laughter can be an example of coping ugly.  
• [14:20] - We all know the famous five stages of grief.  George states that these stages have been harmful to many people.  
• [16:25] - The Lightning Round with George Bonanno

Your Resources:

• 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology
• The Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement Tells Us About Life After Loss - George A. Bonanno
• Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo - Hayden Herrera

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to George for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Jeffrey Auerbach designs and delivers executive coaching and emotionally intelligent leadership programs.  He is the founder and President of The College of Executive Coaching, and past Vice President of the International Coach Federation Global Board of Directors.

In this conversation, you will hear Jeffrey talk about the well-being coaching he does with people in the workplace.  The biggest part of well-being is career well-being.  Jeffrey explains the importance of using strengths intelligently, and when one can’t rely on their strengths, doing the work to learn something new.  A weakness is sometimes a strength that is overplayed.  Jeffrey shares examples of coaching clients to demonstrate how these strategies can be implemented to make positive lifestyle changes.

Connect with Jeffrey Auerbach:

Website: http://executivecoachcollege.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-e-auerbach-4155722b/

You’ll Learn:

• [01:45] - Jeffrey will be presenting at the 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology. He’ll be talking about coaching for executive well-being.  He shares what he hopes attendees will take away from his presentation.  
• [03:10] - Jeffrey shares how he coaches people to make changes to achieve well-being. He talks about a few practical applications people can implement.
• [06:02] - Jeffrey talks about his new book, Positive Psychology in Coaching: Applying Science to Executive and Personal Coaching.
• [07:59] - In his new book, Jeffrey talks about the dangers of over-using strengths.  In the world of leadership, people are hired and promotion because of their strengths.  But, when their careers fail, it’s because they rely on those strengths rather than being an agile learner.
• [10:50] - Jeffrey shares how he coaches individuals to build on their strengths, but also be aware of and owning their limitations.  
• [14:49] - Jeffrey cites Barbara Fredrickson’s work on the upward spiral of lifestyle change. He shares an example of how positive emotions can make lifestyle changes more likely.
• [19:33] - Jeffrey talks about situations where well-being or strength-based coaching approaches are not appropriate.  
• [21:07] - Group coaching situations are becoming more common. Jeffrey explains the reasons that he likes this approach.  
• [25:08] - The Lightning Round with Jeffrey Auerbach

Your Resources:

• 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology
• Personal and Executive Coaching: The Complete Guide for Mental Health Professionals - Jeffrey E. Auerbach
• Positive Psychology in Coaching: Applying Science to Executive and Personal Coaching - Jeffrey E. Auerbach and Sandra L. Foster
• Good Business: Leadership, Flow, and the Making of Meaning - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
• A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans - W. Bruce Cameron

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Jeffrey for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Angela Duckworth is a professor at The University of Pennsylvania. She is also the founder and scientific director of The Character Lab. She has advised the White House, professional sports teams and Fortune 500 CEO’s.  

In this conversation, you will hear Angela discuss the research that she is doing on character with children and teachers in middle schools.  Character is not one thing, it is many.  Various character strengths fall into three dimensions: interpersonal character, intellectual character, and intrapersonal character.  Angela also talks about these types of characters in regards to the workplace.  You will also hear Angela talk about grit, and her opinions on the things workplaces are doing to try to cultivate grit. 

Connect with Angela Duckworth:

CharacterLab.org

You’ll Learn:

• [01:59] - Angela shares some of the takeaways from her upcoming presentation on character at the 5th World Congress in Positive Psychology.  
• [03:53] - In Angela’s research, she looked at a subsets of strengths in the VIA (Values in Action Inventory).
• [05:31] - Angela says that self-control and grit are in the strength of will family.  
• [06:41] - Angela describes the interpersonal strengths.  These allow you to appreciate other human beings.  
• [07:36] - Angela lists some characteristics that she defines as intellectual character.
• [09:26] - Angela talks about determining where students are in their strengths in these areas of character.  
• [10:42] - Angela believes that these areas of character strengths are relevant to adults, in addition to youth.  She describes how these translate to the workplace.
• [12:36] - Angela talks about the relationship between grit and character and their roles in achievement.
• [14:00] - Grit is sought-after in the workplaces, and Angela talks about the idea that the role of character will grow in businesses.  She explains how strengths in some areas of character can lead to the individual being likelier to have or develop strengths in other areas of character.
• [16:31] - Angela talks about what workplaces are doing to successfully cultivate grit.
• [19:42] - Angela shares some concerns she has with workplaces implementing grit exercises.
• [22:09] - The Lightning Round with Angela Duckworth.

Your Resources:

• 5th World Congress in Positive Psychology
• CharacterLab.org
• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
• Getting Grit: The Evidence-Based Approach to Cultivating Passion, Perseverance, and Purpose - Caroline Adams Miller
• Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise - Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Angela for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Martin Seligman is a leading authority in the fields of positive psychology, resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism, and pessimism.  He is the director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center, the Penn Master of Applied Positive Psychology program. 

In this conversation, you will hear Martin share what he would like attendees to take away from his presentation at the 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology.  He talks about changes he is seeing with governments as they implement positive psychology practices.  Martin believes well-being should be one of the principle goals of political policy around the world.  

Martin also talks about positive psychology in the workplace. He shares one small change that he believes can make a big impact on workplaces.  He also shares that increases in occupational well-being should decrease accidents and increase safety in the workplace.

Connect with Martin Seligman:

Website - http://authentichappiness.org

You’ll Learn:

• [02:02]  - Martin will be speaking at the IPPA World Congress on Positive Psychology in July in Montreal.  He shares what he would like attendees to learn in his session, “Positive Psychology: Past, Present, and Future”.
• [03:55] - Martin shares some of the changes he is seeing with governments as they implement these ideas.  He shares the five groups to life satisfaction and happiness, which forms the acronym, PERMA.
• [05:51] - Martin talks about the ways of measuring well-being with psychometric accuracy.
• [09:03] - Martin shares his confidence that these are the pillars of well-being and that governments can make changes with well-being.  He explains how they are using social media to measure the results.
• [12:17] - Martin states that our positive emotional system is built around the question, “what works?”  
• [13:49] - Martin shares a small change that can make big differences in the workplace.
• [16:22] - Martin defines good leadership in the workplace.  
• [17:45] - Occupational safety dangers are increased by depression, anxiety, and anger.
• [18:41] - Martin explains how his original theories on learned helplessness may have been wrong.
• [20:44] - Martin talks about the idea of positive psychology practices may not be a good fit for certain workplace environments.
• [22:10] - The Lightning Round with Martin Seligman.

Your Resources:

• Martin Seligman’s books on Amazon
• Flourish - Martin Seligman
• Homo Prospectus - Martin Seligman
• 5th World Congress in Positive Psychology

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Martin for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Sonja Lyubomirsky is a professor of Psychology at the University of California - Riverside. Her research on the science of happiness has been the recipient of many honors.  She is a best-selling author of the books The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want and The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn’t, What Shouldn’t Make You Happy, but Does.

In this conversation, you will hear Sonja share her thoughts and findings on happiness.  Sonja shares some of her findings that prove that positive activity interactions work.  Sonja also talks about some of the myths of happiness, which is the topic of her latest book.  She talks about the identification process to determine which interactions may work for individuals.  She also talks about happiness in group dynamics, specifically the workplace.  Sonja must present these interventions in various ways, depending on the environment and situation and she explains how she does that.  

Connect with Sonja Lyubomirsky:

Website: http://sonjalyubomirsky.com/

You’ll Learn:

• [01:57] - Sonja shares what she hopes attendees gain from her presentations on happiness. Sonja says that it is possible to become happier.
• [03:06] - Happiness is a broad term and Sonja describes how she defines the term.  
• [04:07] - Sonja’s talks about the short-term and long-term improvements people can make with happiness.  She explains that short-term happiness is easier to achieve than long-term happiness.
• [05:10] - Sonja describes the benefits of people being happy in the workplace.  She also explains why it’s not a good thing to be “too happy” in the workplace.
• [06:46] - Sonja lists a few interventions that people can use in the workplace to become happier at work.
• [08:38]- Sonja shares some of her findings that prove that positive activity interventions work.  She talks about gratitude and the role that factors like culture and dosage play a role.
• [10:37] - In her book, The How of Happiness, Sonja provides a survey to help determine which interventions might work for individuals.  She talks about this identification process.
• [13:04] - Sonja shares some of the myths of happiness.
• [15:32] - Sonja talks about the idea of happiness and well-being in social environments and with each other in various relationships.
• [16:50] - Happiness shouldn’t be forced on anyone. Sonja talks about situations where happiness interventions aren’t the right strategy.
• [19:11] - Sonja explains how she presents these interventions in different types of workplaces.
• [20:00] - The Lightning Round with Sonja Lyubomirsky

Your Resources:

• The International Positive Psychology Association’s 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology
• Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life - Dacher Keltner
• The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence - Dacher Keltner
• The Art of Happiness - Dalai Lama
• The Undoing Process: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds - Michael Lewis

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Sonja for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Paula Davis Laack is a former practicing lawyer, an internationally published writer, media contributor, and a stress and resilience expert.  She has designed and taught burnout prevention and resilience workshops for thousands of professionals around the world. She also taught resilience skills to more than 25,000 soldiers.  

While a lot of people are familiar with the term “burnout”, they don’t know what it is and how it develops.  In this conversation, you will hear Paula talk about burnout and how individuals can avoid it. She also discusses the strategies that organizations can implement to help team members avoid burnout.

Connect with Paula Davis Laack:

Website: http://pauladavislaack.com

You’ll Learn:

• [01:55] - Paula explains why burnout is such an issue in workplaces, even though businesses have been addressing this issue for a long time.
• [03:45] - Paula defines “burnout” as a process of chronic stress.  She explains the difference between stress and burnout.
• [05:18] - Paula addresses how individuals can avoid burnout.  She provides a template to evaluate your burnout or potential burnout.
• [07:15] - The “I’m too busy” narrative is something Paula will be addressing in an upcoming blog post.  This is something we need to be aware of and stop over-using.  
• [07:44] - Paula talks about STRONG strategies.
• [09:22] - Small changes can make a huge differences.  Paula talks about STOP, which is one of her favorite mindfulness techniques.
• [10:12] - Paula explains how to use passwords to move forward with your goals.
• [11:06] - Paula believes resilience skills can be very simple.
• [12:30] - Paula lists some things organizations can do to help employees avoid burnout.
• [15:56] - Paula says you can’t be “too resilient”.  This is an important skill for people to have.
• [19:35] The Lightning Round with Paul Davis Laack

Your Resources:

• Addicted to Busy: Your Blueprint for Burnout Prevention
• The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It - Kelly McGonical
• Kelly McGonical Ted Talk
• Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
• The Psychologically Healthy Workplace: Building a Win-Win Environment Organizations and Employees
• Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself - Kristin Neff

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Paula for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Carin Rockind is the creator of Purpose Girl, a movement to empower purpose-driven living.  She is also a leading happiness expert who works with companies around the world, teaching real-life strategies to help people live to their fullest potential of success and well-being.  

In this conversation, you will hear Carin talk about purpose. Carin explains why purpose is a verb. She describes how you can find purpose in your life, even in existing situations.  She also talks about purpose in the workplace and how leaders can help individuals find more purpose in their work.

Connect with Carin Rockind:

Website: CarinRockind.com

You’ll Learn:

• [01:15] - Carin believes purpose is the driving force behind who we are. She explains why purpose is so important.
• [02:32] - Carin explains why it’s so difficult people to discover their purpose.
• [05:19] - Carin talks about finding purpose in your existing situation.  
• [11:00] - “Start where you are.”  Carin talks about how the start the process of identifying and working towards your purpose and what lights you up.
• [12:38] - If you are unable to “start where you are” in your company, Carin explains other venues that you can use.
• [13:28] - Carin encourages you to not hide your passions.  
• [16:39] - Carin describes how leaders can help individuals find more purpose in their work.
• [20:30] - Carin says we can’t have too much purpose because it leads to life satisfaction.  However, it can lead to obsession, which impacts other areas of our lives.
• [23:15] - The Lightning Round with Carin Rockind.

Your Resources:

• F Midlife
• Strength Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow - Gallup & Tom Rath
• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life - Jen Sincero
• The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are - Brene Brown
• Brene Brown Ted Talks

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Carin for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Russ Harris is the author of the international best-selling self help book, The Happiness Trap.  He is a therapist and coach, as well as a world renowned trainer of acceptance and commitment therapy, otherwise known as ACT.  He has provided ACT training to over 20,000 people all around the world.

In this conversation, you will hear Russ talk about the ACT approach. He explains how individuals and organizations can use the ACT approach to work through negativity and be comfortable with accepting rather than solving.

Connect with Russ Harris:

Website: ActMindfully.com.au

You’ll Learn:

• [01:28] - Russ talks about finding healthy ways to accept things that seem completely unacceptable.  
• [04:07] - Russ shares how those of us that are used to a CBT approach to our challenges can get comfortable with accepting rather than solving.  
• [07:55] - Self-compassion is an important skill to normalize being able to get comfortably uncomfortable.  Russ explains how the ACT approach works through negativity.  
• [09:54] - Russ talks about the ideas of expansion, anchoring, pursuing the value of kindness, and connectedness with others.
• [12:22] - Russ describes how to introduce these ideas into workplaces.  He describes his experiences with different types of work environments.
• [17:24] - When asked about work situations where ACT approach may not be a good fit, Russ shares the range of situations where these strategies have been implemented.
• [19:50] - The Lightning Round with Russ Harris

Your Resources:

The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: A Guide to ACT - Russ Harris and Steven Hayes

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration - Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Russ for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Jo Murray is a facilitator and change consultant with a Masters in Positive Psychology from Melbourne University.  Jo is specifically interested in how leaders in organizations can use the concept of psychological capital to improve the engagement and wellbeing of their employees.  

 While your organization may measure and track your economic, human or even social capital, have you ever considered the psychological capital?  Psychological capital is about understanding what individuals uniquely bring to their role and the organization to give it life and vitality, and their potential to be great and perform at extraordinary levels.  By providing meaningful and productive feedback to your staff based on the components of psychological capital  - hope, self-efficacy, resilience, optimism -  you can unlock the performance potential of your team.
 

You’ll Learn:

• [01:33] - Jo explains that psychological capital is simply described as the notion of who you are and, more importantly, who you’re becoming.
• [02:44] – As an organization leader it means tapping into when your employees enjoy their job, are motivated and optimistic about improving their performance.
• [03:36] - People who are higher in psychological capital are more engaged, involved, and rewarded by the work they do.  
• [04:27] - Jo explains how psychological capital is the dynamic interplay between hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism (HERO).
• [08:10] – You can use these four elements of psychological capital by firstly becoming conscious of what you’re doing as a leader and then using as a basis when you manage performance or provide feedback to your staff.  
• [09:53] - Jo shares her experiences and thoughts on how organizations can introduce the practices of psychological capital into workplaces.
• [12:04] - Jo talks about the importance of understanding why and being ready to introduce the concept of psychological capital into an organization.
• [14:50] - Jo shares one example of introducing psychological capital into a challenging workplace and the benefits of providing feedback in a meaningful, productive way that actually unlocks performance.
• [17:34] – Jo explains how you can find more information on psychological capital and learn how to introduce it into your workplace.
• [18:46] - The Lightning Round with Jo Murray.

Your Resources:

The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection - Brené Brown

Practicing Positive Leadership: Tools and Techniques That Create Extraordinary Results - Kim Cameron

Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being - Martin E. P. Seligman

How to Be a Positive Leader: Small Actions, Big Impact - Jane E Dutton and Gretchen Spreitzer

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

Also, please leave an honest review for the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free!

Special thanks to Jo for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!