Build Workplaces With Thriving People + Extraordinary Outcomes
My friend Vic Strecher has a simple acronym to help us remember elements of physical wellbeing: SPACE. Sleep. What was the quality and quantity of your sleep last night? Stop looking at digital screens or having alcoholic beverages too close to bedtime. Make sure that the room is darkened, and a comfortable temperature. Don’t allow … Read moreWant Wellbeing? Be a SPACE(R)!
The purpose of the Center for Positive Organizations is very inclusive. I do not know anyone who doesn’t want to have a high-performing workplace with thriving people! Sadly, many people experience workplaces that are anything but positive. Indeed, a meta study by Christine Porath found that 98% of us have experienced incivility in the workplace. … Read moreThe First Step in Turning Around Organizational Culture
Why do we wait until people die to tell them about the difference they have made in our lives? Living Eulogies are a way of sharing our appreciation for the difference others have made in our lives… while they are still alive. Many people can imagine doing this for someone dear to us in our personal … Read moreBeing Our Best Selves
Our relationships are a key part of our wellbeing. Positive relationships can lift us up, help us live longer and happier lives. Conversely, negative interactions can really drag us down, and leave us spiraling for hours, days, or longer. My colleague Wayne Baker is a pioneer in energy network analysis in organizations. What does relational … Read moreDon’t Be Sucked In By Workplace Black Holes!
Team Building gets a bad rap. I have never been a fan of “fun” team building activities. Cooking a meal together or playing whirlyball are enjoyable activities, but I rarely leave feeling that I know the values or principles or characters of my teammates any better. We have fun but we don’t bond at any … Read moreHow to Run a Leadership Team Retreat
Sometimes culture change can seem overwhelming. It is so big and complex that we can be feel paralyzed, unable to take the first step. But small steps can make a big difference. Here are three ways to contribute toward flourishing in the workplace today. Begin meetings on a good note. Before jumping into the agenda, … Read moreThree Daily Habits for Positive Leaders
You feel misunderstood. You feel defensive. Your voice is quavering. Your pulse is racing. Your palms are sweaty. You feel an urge to fight, to convince the other person that they are wrong. Or to take flight: to simply to get out of the room as fast as possible. These are natural reactions when you … Read moreThe Way to Respond to Hard Feedback
It’s time for a difficult conversation with a colleague or employee. A project just finished and didn’t go as anyone had hoped. You are dreading raising it directly. You are worried about how he or she will respond. So you are procrastinating and reading this article. Good timing. I estimate that at least 80% of … Read moreDon’t Give Feedback Until You Read This
Teamwork does not mean doing everything together. Think of your favorite team sport. Mine is soccer. I call it Real Football. Great teamwork is beautiful to watch on a football field. It is the balance between great interplay, and moments of individual brilliance. For the football fanatics, here are two short clips from the same … Read moreWhat Teamwork is Not
Conversation #1 “How are things?” “Good. Busy.” ********************** Conversation #2 “How are things?” “I am not especially busy. I have time to <talk or listen or play or laugh or help or sleep or exercise or learn or think or create>.” ******************** Roughly how often do you have the first conversation versus the second conversation? … Read moreI Am Not Busy