This accessible book draws together key ideas and techniques for applying concepts drawn from positive psychology and strengths-based management in workplace settings. It illuminates the application of various positive psychology approaches in a wide range of different workplace settings and cultures, so most readers will find examples that resonate with their own workplace and its challenges. In a series of concise articles, originally written for her Appreciating Change website, Sarah Lewis shows how any leader, manager, organization or employee can learn from positive and appreciative concepts like playing to strengths, creating a feel-good workplace, building social capital, encouraging positive deviation, leading authentically, creating conditions for change, having courageous conversations and building happy teams. -A unique collection of short, practical, to-the-point articles on the application of positive psychology concepts and principles to business and the workplace -Shows how individual, team and organizational effectiveness can be enhanced by recognising the value of social capital and promoting the wellbeing of staff -Links positive psychology with strengths-based management and appreciative inquiry, and with dialogue-based tools for organizational leadership and change -Topics covered include strengths-based development, creating a positive culture, leadership gratitude, appreciative listening, creating hope, resilience, and flow
SARAH LEWIS is the Founder of Appreciating Change, a consultancy that applies evidence-based positive psychology to achieve dynamic workplace change at individual, team and organisational levels. Her clients have included Vector Aerospace, Kaspersky, Aston Business School, John Lewis, Umm Al-Qura University, Home Farm Trust and the Performing Rights Society. Since switching from social work to psychology in 1993, Sarah has amassed vast experience as a practitioner, lecturer and author. She is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Founding Member of the Association of Business Psychologists, a graduate lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, and received the award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Positive Work Practices' at the Global Strengthscope Practitioner Conference 2017.
Section 1 - Introduction Positive psychology - appreciative and dialogue tools Section 2 - Positive Change and Development An appreciative approach to change - co-created change - social capital - engaging people with change Section 3 - Leadership Make your own mission - appreciative leadership - common mistakes - leading through uncertainty Section 4 - Performance Screening high fliers - nudging - capitalising on strengths - keeping people engaged - positive deviance Section 5 - Groups and Teams Virtual teams - happy teams are successful teams - coaching to develop talent - fostering innovation Section 6 - Emotions at Work Willpower - creating hope - thank you makes a difference - the costs of rudeness - forgiveness Section 7 - Skills and Experiences The economy of strengths - divergent conversation - leadership gratitude - appreciative listening Section 8 - Conclusion Using positive psychology every day - applying flow - creating the positive and appreciative organization
