Making Positive Psychology Work

Bob Vallerand is a leading scholar in motivational processes and optimal functioning. Bob spoke on his theory on passion at Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology and he shares his insights with us in this conversation.

The passions we have as individuals bring satisfaction to our lives. They also help form our identities. So today, I talk with Bob Vallerand about his research on passion.

In this interview, you will hear that there are two types of passion, obsessive and harmonious. Bob shares how obsessive passions develop and that these are not necessarily negative or harmful activities, but can be productive passions that begin to control an individual. Bob also shares how to identify if a passion is harmonious or obsessive. How do organizations help members develop harmonious passions, which benefit the organization and individuals themselves? Listen to find out!

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Bob's website: http://www.lrcs.uqam.ca/default_en.htm

You'll Learn:

• [1:46] - Passion can be obsessive or harmonious and the benefits of harmonious passion.
• [2:30] - Bob defines overall passion.
• [3:40] - Obsessive passions and how these seemingly productive activities can control a person.
• [5:10] - How to determine if a passion is harmonious or obsessive.
• [7:11] - Passions can go back and forth from being harmonious and obsessive. Bob shares what makes this change happen.
• [9:25] - How organizations can nurture harmonious passion with members.
• [11:25] - Having multiple passions is a healthier situation.
• [12:08] - How to turn things around when a passion becomes obsessive.
• [13:16] - There are certain activities in which you will only get the positive benefits if the passion is harmonious.
• [15:08] - The lightning round with Bob Vallerand.

Your Resources:

"The Psychology of Passion" - Bob Vallerand

"Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation" - Edward Deci

"Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experiences" - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

"Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life" - Barbara Fredrickson

Canadian Positive Psychology Association

Bob Vallerand is a leading scholar in motivational processes and optimal functioning. Bob spoke on his theory on passion at Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology and he shares his insights with us in this conversation.

The passions we have as individuals bring satisfaction to our lives. They also help form our identities.  So today, I talk with Bob Vallerand about his research on passion. 

In this interview, you will hear that there are two types of passion, obsessive and harmonious.  Bob shares how obsessive passions develop and that these are not necessarily negative or harmful activities, but can be productive passions that begin to control an individual.  Bob also shares how to identify if a passion is harmonious or obsessive. How do organizations help members develop harmonious passions, which benefit the organization and individuals themselves?  Listen to find out!

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology. 

Bob's website: http://www.lrcs.uqam.ca/default_en.htm

You’ll Learn:

• [1:46] - Passion can be obsessive or harmonious and the benefits of harmonious passion.
• [2:30] - Bob defines overall passion.
• [3:40] - Obsessive passions and how these seemingly productive activities can control a person.
• [5:10] - How to determine if a passion is harmonious or obsessive.
• [7:11] - Passions can go back and forth from being harmonious and obsessive. Bob shares what makes this change happen.
• [9:25] - How organizations can nurture harmonious passion with members.
• [11:25] - Having multiple passions is a healthier situation.
• [12:08] - How to turn things around when a passion becomes obsessive.
• [13:16] - There are certain activities in which you will only get the positive benefits if the passion is harmonious.
• [15:08] - The lightning round with Bob Vallerand.

Your Resources:

“The Psychology of Passion” - Bob Vallerand

“Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation” - Edward Deci

“Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experiences” - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

“Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life” - Barbara Fredrickson

Canadian Positive Psychology Association

Robert Quinn is a world leading expert on positive organizations, and how to introduce and implement positive practices into workplaces. He shares examples of handling situations through conventional strategy and positive practices.

While many organizations experience success with introducing and implementing positive practices, this is a transition that can be difficult to accomplish. We have a natural fear and to flourish, we need to overcome the conventional mind map. However, the most effective outcomes are the result of finding a balance of conventional methods and positive practices.

Robert shares the four questions to ask to transform yourself into a positive state and get different results than you have in the past:

1. What results to I want to create?
2. Am I internally directed?
3. Am I other-focused?
4. Am I externally open?

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Robert's Blog: https://thepositiveorganization.wordpress.com/

You'll Learn

• [2:26] - Assumptions of conventional social science and alternatives to those assumptions
• [4:29] - Robert shares an example of the destruction of the culture of an organization through conventional decision-making and strategy.
• [5:55] - To contrast the previous story, Robert shares an example of handling down-sizing with positive practices.
• [7:59] - Flourishing means overcoming natural fear
• [9:41] - Positive practices are an addition, not a replacement to the conventional mind map.
• [10:44] - Finding a balance with conventional methods and positive practices
• [12:50] - Robert shares his thoughts on how to introduce and implement these ideas.
• [16:21] - Contributive goals help people take risks
• [17:45] - Robert talks about the transformation he sees in his workshops.
• [18:33] - The lightning round with Robert Quinn.

Resources:

"The Positive Organization: Breaking Free from Conventional Cultures, Constraints, and Beliefs" - Robert Quinn

Lift Exchange Tool

"Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything" - Victor J Strecher

"The Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life" - Robert Fritz

Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology

Positive Business Conference

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 Robert for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Robert Quinn is a world leading expert on positive organizations, and how to introduce and implement positive practices into workplaces. He shares examples of handling situations through conventional strategy and positive practices.

While many organizations experience success with introducing and implementing positive practices, this is a transition that can be difficult to accomplish. We have a natural fear and to flourish, we need to overcome the conventional mind map. However, the most effective outcomes are the result of finding a balance of conventional methods and positive practices. 

Robert shares the four questions to ask to transform yourself into a positive state and get different results than you have in the past: 

1. What results to I want to create?
2. Am I internally directed?
3. Am I other-focused?
4. Am I externally open?

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Robert’s Blog: https://thepositiveorganization.wordpress.com/

You’ll Learn

• [2:26] - Assumptions of conventional social science and alternatives to those assumptions
• [4:29] - Robert shares an example of the destruction of the culture of an organization through conventional decision-making and strategy.
• [5:55] - To contrast the previous story, Robert shares an example of handling down-sizing with positive practices.
• [7:59] - Flourishing means overcoming natural fear
• [9:41] - Positive practices are an addition, not a replacement to the conventional mind map.
• [10:44] - Finding a balance with conventional methods and positive practices
• [12:50] - Robert shares his thoughts on how to introduce and implement these ideas.
• [16:21] - Contributive goals help people take risks
• [17:45] - Robert talks about the transformation he sees in his workshops.
• [18:33] - The lightning round with Robert Quinn. 

Resources:

“The Positive Organization: Breaking Free from Conventional Cultures, Constraints, and Beliefs” - Robert Quinn

Lift Exchange Tool

“Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything” - Victor J Strecher

“The Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life” - Robert Fritz

Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology

Positive Business Conference

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 Robert for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

David Cooperrider is renowned for his research in appreciative inquiry, a strength-based approach to creating change. David shares how appreciative inquiry is being used to build a better world.

David explains how organizations can align strengths in ways that make the system's weaknesses irrelevant. He also shares how individuals and organizations can use this life-centric approach to go through the steps of this positive change model.

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Tune in to hear more!

Website: www.davidcooperrider.com

Twitter: @Dlc6David

You'll Learn:

• [2:25] - David explains basics of appreciative inquiry
• [4:52] - What you and your organization can gain from this positive change model
• [5:27] - People don't resist change. People love change.
• [7:05] - Positive re-framing
• [9:30] - Omni search and bringing in all of the strengths at every level
• [10:50] - Strengthen the strengths
• [12:28] - Imagining our future
• [14:40] - Translate and improvise
• [16:30] - Valuing progress moments
• [18:02] - Embedding the change and reversing our mindset on change
• [20:50] - The lightning round with David Cooperrider

Links from this discussion:

DavidCooperrider.com

The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram

Canadian Conference On 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 for 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 David for joining me this week. Until next time, take care.

Caroline Adams Miller is one of the world's leading positive psychology experts on goal-setting, accomplishment, grit, happiness, and success.

It seems everywhere you turn lately somebody is talking about grit. Is it really the key to success? Can you have too much? How do you cultivate it? So today, I turned to Caroline who is one of the world's leading practitioners in grit to see what all the fuss is about.

In this interview you'll hear why she believes grit has to be authentic and how to avoid the downsides of "stupid grit", "selfie grit" and "faux grit". She explains how organizations can build grit through embedding it and why organization leaders must model grit in workplaces.

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Tune in to hear more!

Website: www.carolinemiller.com

Twitter: @CarolineMCoach

You'll Learn

• [2:43] - Caroline defines "authentic grit"
• [3:22] - Caroline shares what she considers to be "stupid grit"
• [5:45] – Caroline explains "selfie grit" and why grit paragons all have humility
• [7:54] - Caroline explains "faux grit" and how this gets us into trouble
• [10:11] - How to build and embed grit
• [12:38] – Why leaders must have grit
• [15:18] - Should every workplace cultivate grit?
• [18:54] - The lightning round with Caroline Adams Miller

Your Resources:

• Watch Caroline's TedX Talk here
• Download the free chapter of Caroline's next book "Getting Grit"
• Take Caroline's free grit challenge here.
• Harvard Business Review article by Carol Dweck on "What Having a "Growth Mindset" Actually Means"
• "Peak" by Anders Ericcson
• Canadian Conference on 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 the 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 Caroline for joining me this week. Until next time, take care

Kim Cameron is one of the top 10 scholars in organizational sciences. Kim recently spoke at the Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology and he talks with us about positive and relational energy.

Positive energy and relational energy has a tremendous positive impact on individuals and organizations. So today, I talk with Kim Cameron, a leading scholar on these topics and positive psychology.

In this interview, you will hear how the positive impact of positive energy and relational energy are measurable down to the cellular level. Kim also shares that contribution is more powerful than achievement and he provides examples from the University of Michigan. Some employees may perceive positive practices as manipulation and Kim shares why he believes this opposition will not become more common.

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Tune in to hear more!

Kim Cameron's Website: http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/cameronk/?_ga=1.99712030.1617036109.1465915693

You'll Learn

• [2:20] - People with positive energy and relational energy are four times more likely to succeed.
• [5:53] - The characteristics of positively energizing leaders.
• [7:45] - The heliotropic effect and how to unleash it.
• [9:22] - Contribution goals trump achievement goals
• [12:58] - Kim talks about the culture of abundance and its positive impact on organizations.
• [14:34] - The notion of happiness and well-being can be used as a manipulation.
• [16:18] - Positive practices show results at the cellular level.
• [18:31] - The lightning round with Kim Cameron

Your Resources:

• "Practicing Positive Leadership" - Kim Cameron
• Harvard Business Review article by Kim Cameron on "Proof That Positive Work Cultures Are More Productive"
• "Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being" - Martin Seligman
• "Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life" - Barbara Fredrickson
• "The Science of Well-Being: The Collected Works of Ed Diener" - Ed 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 the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for 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 Caroline for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

Thank you for joining me for the very first episode of Making Positive Psychology Work. Every week, I'll be interviewing the world's leading researchers and practitioners who applying the evidence-based practices of positive psychology and neuroscience in workplaces to bring out the best in people. You see I believe that by uncovering tested, practical ways to help people move from functioning to flourishing at work, together we'll be able to better navigate the incredible challenges and opportunities our world faces.

Website: www.michellemcquaid.com

Twitter: @chellemcquaid

When you watch the ongoing economic, environmental, social and political challenges current reverberating around our world, can make it hard to feel hopeful about our future. But when you start diving into the growing body of research on the power of positive psychology and positive organizational scholarship approaches to improve people's wellbeing, to leverage their strengths, to cultivate compassion, to motivate ourselves by the positive difference we can each make, and to harness our grit to accomplish the things that matter most, it's impossible to deny the individual and collective potential we truly have at our fingertips.

My goal on this podcast is to make this as easy, enjoyable and effective as possible for you. In this podcast, you'll hear how.

Tune in to hear more!

You'll Learn

• [1:40] – Who will join us each week on the podcast.
• [2:11] – How we'll help you to become intelligent users of positive psychology, positive organizational scholarship and neuroscience research in your own life and in our workplaces.
• [2:53] – Why it's so important to play with these ideas and not just accept the research at face value.
• [3:18] – How listening to this podcast can you save you time and money by freely and succinctly bringing your the world's best researchers and practitioners every week.
• [3.41] – Who am I to take you on this journey.

Your Resources:

• Show notes - www.michellemcquaid.com

Thanks for listening!

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

Also, please leave an honest review for 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!

Until next time, take care.

David Cooperrider is renowned for his research in appreciative inquiry, a strength-based approach to creating change. David shares how appreciative inquiry is being used to build a better world.

David explains how organizations can align strengths in ways that make the system’s weaknesses irrelevant. He also shares how individuals and organizations can use this life-centric approach to go through the steps of this positive change model.

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Tune in to hear more!

Website: www.davidcooperrider.com

Twitter: @Dlc6David

You’ll Learn:

• [2:25] - David explains basics of appreciative inquiry
• [4:52] - What you and your organization can gain from this positive change model
• [5:27] - People don’t resist change. People love change.
• [7:05] - Positive re-framing
• [9:30] - Omni search and bringing in all of the strengths at every level
• [10:50] - Strengthen the strengths
• [12:28] - Imagining our future
• [14:40] - Translate and improvise
• [16:30] - Valuing progress moments
• [18:02] - Embedding the change and reversing our mindset on change
• [20:50] - The lightning round with David Cooperrider

Links from this discussion:

DavidCooperrider.com

The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram

Canadian Conference On 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 for 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 David for joining me this week. Until next time, take care.

Caroline Adams Miller is one of the world’s leading positive psychology experts on goal-setting, accomplishment, grit, happiness, and success.

It seems everywhere you turn lately somebody is talking about grit. Is it really the key to success? Can you have too much? How do you cultivate it? So today, I turned to Caroline who is one of the world’s leading practitioners in grit to see what all the fuss is about.

In this interview you’ll hear why she believes grit has to be authentic and how to avoid the downsides of “stupid grit”, “selfie grit” and “faux grit”. She explains how organizations can build grit through embedding it and why organization leaders must model grit in workplaces.

This interview was produced in partnership with the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and the 3rd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology.

Tune in to hear more!

Website: www.carolinemiller.com

Twitter: @CarolineMCoach

You’ll Learn

• [2:43] - Caroline defines “authentic grit”
• [3:22] - Caroline shares what she considers to be “stupid grit”
• [5:45] – Caroline explains “selfie grit” and why grit paragons all have humility
• [7:54] - Caroline explains “faux grit” and how this gets us into trouble
• [10:11] - How to build and embed grit
• [12:38] – Why leaders must have grit
• [15:18] - Should every workplace cultivate grit?
• [18:54] - The lightning round with Caroline Adams Miller

Your Resources:

• Watch Caroline’s TedX Talk here
• Download the free chapter of Caroline’s next book “Getting Grit”
• Take Caroline’s free grit challenge here.
• Harvard Business Review article by Carol Dweck on “What Having a “Growth Mindset” Actually Means”
• “Peak” by Anders Ericcson
• Canadian Conference on 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 the 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 Caroline for joining me this week. Until next time, take care