Positive People – Positive Outcomes – Safer Organizations

Just about two weeks ago, I attended the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener.  I’m talking about Major League Baseball for our international readers.  I love home openers because there’s so much excitement, energy, and positive emotions.  And it’s everywhere - the bars and restaurants, vendors, fans, and of course the baseball organizations being jeered and cheered.  

Early in the game, I began to wonder why we couldn’t harness more of that kind of excitement and energy when it comes to safety or the continual push for improvement.  And then I happened to speak to Bill.  He’s pictured to the left with me.  Bill has worked at Pirates’ games, as an usher or in some other capacity, for more than 60 years.  He worked at three ballparks, Forbes, Three Rivers and now PNC Park.  He’s 86 years young and he smiles, laughs, and greets fans with respect, kindness, and enthusiasm.  But what allows some people to easily exhibit these types of behaviors while others struggle?  Good psychology and science have shed light in this arena of health, happiness, and resilience.  And it can be taught, learned, modeled, and shared by your leaders to help make your organization healthier, happier, safer, and increasingly fit.

Two months ago, I watched and listened to Dr. Martin Seligman at a live event.  He’s a giant in psychology, particularly positive psychology.  Seligman has spent his career better understanding resilience and happiness.  Seligman’s happiness work and research is highlighted in the acronym PERMA.  When we practice PERMA it has a positive affect on our ongoing health and happiness.

Positive Emotions.  Positive emotions are not characterized through pleasures found in our basic human needs such as eating, drinking or sleeping.  Positive emotions are generated through action-oriented interests like being involved with a hobby, reading, playing games, or some exercise that stretches ones thoughts and mind.  These types of pleasure producing activities bring us back to do more of the same, which produces more of the same – happiness or pleasure.

Engagement.  Engagement is about getting caught-up in an activity to the extent that we lose all sense of time. Higher levels of engagement keep us focused, challenged, and interested.  These activities may involve watching live entertain-ment, reading, writing, or participating in a hobby or sport.  Being caught-up and staying in the moment is healthy and provides part of the foundation for health and happiness.  Being caught-up in our thoughts to the extent that we lose track of time is a marker for such engagement. 

Relationships.  Much of my happiness has come about through strong and lasting friendships.  I’ve had great and long-lasting friendships with depth and breadth.  Having a bond with others, reaching out to help others, and making them more fulfilled, does much for both parties.  Being involved with others and having personal connections leads to greater happiness.

Meaning.  Leading a life with purpose and meaning beyond one’s smaller circle of influence is very important.  Having a life of faith and purpose is a large part of embracing meaning in our lives.  Studies have shown that individuals with faith-filled lives, experience something greater than themselves and that leads to a life worth living.  People who find their personal mission and purpose have found meaning outside of our earthy existence. 

Achievement.  When we have short-term and longer-term goals, each adds to our purpose.  When we work hard to achieve and reach particular milestones and work through setbacks and challenges – that’s an important part of our resilience and happiness.  Stretching, reaching, and pursuing important goals gives us pleasure, builds our confidence, and adds to our overall health and happiness. 

I continue to find great insights within Seligman’s work.  And when used on a regular basis, PERMA helps us find greater purpose and happiness.  Leaders in our organizations who practice and model PERMA can positively impact others in a number of ways.  Happy and healthy individuals make for a safer and more productive culture.   Give PERMA a try.