Please do not feed the dragons
Many colleagues in our network are currently engaging with the field of positive psychology in various ways. We’re also seeing a growing demand from our clients, who are interested in applying its principles to enhance workplace well-being and performance. But what exactly is positive psychology, and why is it gaining so much attention?
What is Positive Psychology?
Positive psychology is a subfield that was co-founded by American psychologist Martin Seligman in the late 1990s. It focuses on scientifically exploring and enhancing human strengths and well-being, setting it apart from traditional psychology, which has primarily focused on diagnosing and treating mental illness. In Germany, the field gained visibility through the work of Judith Mangelsdorf, who has been a significant advocate and researcher in this area, among others, helping bridge the gap between research and practical application in German-speaking regions.
Unlike “positive thinking” or “self-help” movements, which often emphasize a somewhat simplistic "just think positively" approach, positive psychology offers a research-based framework. Researchers in the field, such as Barbara Fredrickson, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and Kim Cameron, focus on scientifically investigating elements like optimism, resilience, flow, and meaning, aiming to identify evidence-backed methods to lead a more fulfilling life.
Misconceptions About Positive Psychology
The term "positive psychology" can be a little misleading. While the field promotes the study of positive emotions, strengths, and virtues, it does not advocate ignoring or suppressing negative experiences. Instead, positive psychology acknowledges the full range of human emotions and experiences and seeks to balance both sides. This sometimes leads to confusion or misinterpretation, where positive psychology is mistakenly equated with the positive thinking movement. Positive thinking encourages an optimistic outlook, often without addressing underlying challenges. In contrast, positive psychology emphasizes a balanced approach that builds on strengths while constructively addressing areas for improvement.
Contributions of Positive Psychology
Optimism can be learned
The field’s valuable contribution is its focus on building strengths and cultivating achievements rather than solely treating pathology. By shifting attention towards what works well and where people or teams excel, positive psychology creates a strong developmental momentum and fosters intrinsic motivation. This approach encourages individuals and organizations to enhance their potential and grow more effectively. Positive psychology has introduced concepts like “learned optimism” (Seligman) and “flow” (Csikszentmihalyi), which emphasize building mental and emotional resources that support resilience and high performance.
Practical Tools in Positive Psychology
Positive psychology offers several practical tools, many of which are relevant and applicable in workplaces:
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Instruments like the VIA Character Strengths Survey, developed by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, help individuals identify their core strengths. Research shows that focusing on and applying these strengths can boost engagement, productivity, and overall well-being.
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These practices have been around in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions for a long time. A daily practice, such as keeping a gratitude journal or regularly expressing appreciation to colleagues, can foster positive emotions and improve interpersonal relationships. This has been confirmed by research by Robert Emmons.
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Using techniques to reframe challenges or setbacks in a constructive light can help individuals manage stress and maintain motivation. Fredrickson’s Broaden-and-Build theory emphasizes that positive emotions help broaden one’s ability to see solutions and “build” coping resources.
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Seligman’s learned optimism exercises teach individuals to challenge pessimistic thoughts and replace them with more constructive alternatives. This skill can help employees remain resilient and goal-focused in the face of adversity.
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Based on Csikszentmihalyi’s work, organizations can design tasks or work environments that allow employees to enter “flow” states – those deeply immersive experiences where individuals lose sense of time due to high engagement in challenging, meaningful tasks.
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Positive psychology has also shown the importance of connecting work to a greater purpose, which can significantly boost motivation. Viktor Frankl, an early influencer of positive psychology, emphasized that meaning is crucial to human fulfillment, a notion that is now embedded in many coaching and leadership frameworks.
Positive psychology offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to human flourishing. Rather than merely fixing what’s wrong, it celebrates and enhances what is right, helping to build an environment where people can thrive individually and collectively.
I teamed up with my colleague Sabine Havenstein for a conversation about positive psychology and positive leadership in two parts. This is part of a short self-learning experience that we created for the leaders one of our clients. You can find it here.
In a future blog post our colleague Heike Horn will dive deeper into Positive Leadership and the PERMA Lead Model.
Frank Busch
Director Competence Development Network