Positive Psychology Archives - Page 2 of 8

The Art of Leadership During Difficult Times

Emotional Intelligence, Positive Psychology, Positivity / My Holland

The world is facing a crisis that has practically stopped everything. Well – almost everything has been put on hold. Except for essential workers, people are told to stay at home. Organizations that are deemed unnecessary are closed indefinitely. Most people will not earn a penny but will still have to spend on basic needs. Those that can continue to make a living from home are lucky indeed. What leaders will do during this pandemic will be closely watched by employees and clients of every organization. For leaders, this is a time to shine – amid all the uncertainty the world faces today. Compassion True leaders will care more about the people that work for them than for any financial loss their organization will suffer. Showing empathy is the key these days. With closures all across the world, employees will have to turn elsewhere for their financial needs. Not all organizations can advance salaries. Not everyone will receive unemployment benefits or government checks to tide them over. Leaders must make an effort to explain to their employees why tough decisions have to be made, including having to let go of many, if not all. You might have already heard of some CEOs taking pay cuts or altogether forgoing their pay just to support daily wage earners. Although not all can afford to do the same, leaders should find ways to help their employees cope during these difficult times. The current situation calls for compassion and this should be the guiding principle for all leaders. Community Involvement Now is the time to give back and leaders, despite any business loss, must prove that their organization is one with the community in fighting the effects of COVID 19. Offering delivery services, extending payment deadlines and assisting the elderly by buying for them their needs are some ways organizations can show they care for the community. Leaders must explore ways they can be of service to others. Aside from continuing to communicate with employees, they can also send messages of encouragement or comfort to clients. Why not a simple list of “dos” and “don’ts” to prevent the spread of the virus? Preparing for the Future One thing’s for sure; there will be a new normal once COVID 19 is defeated. Until that time comes, leaders can plan and take steps to be prepared once the situation returns to “normal.” For one, they can continue to invest in their employees by providing online counseling and training. If possible, leaders can conduct virtual meetings on what operational adjustments need to be made to observe social distancing and personal hygiene in the workplace. Also, if less human contact would be the preferred norm, leaders can discuss with their employees how they can better serve clients in the future. Great leaders will not only think of the here and now but also look forward to how their organization can thrive after COVID 19. The old adage “behind every dark cloud is a silver lining” should be everyone’s mantra these days. Leaders should explore what the silver lining is for their organization. Wrapping Up Crises test the mettle of leaders and it is obvious now who the great ones are. It’s not the ones who are first concerned with the bottom line. Great leaders are those who care about getting communities back on their feet when these crises are over.

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Qualities of Mentally Strong People

Brain, Emotional Intelligence, Positive Psychology, Positivity / My Holland

Not a day goes by without challenges that test our mental toughness. As we overcome these, new trials arise. Don’t be annoyed if you see happy people who seem to have no worries. Newsflash: They have problems too, but they’re not negatively affected by these. Why? They are mentally healthy. The good news is you can be like them. Keep in mind that to be mentally strong, you’re going have to change your beliefs, behavior, perspective and outlook. You can best decide what other areas in your life need a little tweaking. For now, here are some qualities of mentally tough people that you may not be aware of. They Have a High Self-Esteem Mentally healthy people have an excellent yet factual opinion of themselves. They’re confident, even though they’re not perfect. They believe in their abilities which they continue to improve while seeking new ones to master. When they encounter problems, they focus on finding solutions. For them, life is not a series of problems, but a series of problem-solving! Don’t take your skills and strengths for granted. List them down and you’ll realize you have more than what you thought you had. They Are Emotionally Healthy Mentally tough people never waste their energy wallowing in self-pity. Life might have dealt them a bad hand. But, they make the most of what they have or the circumstances they’re in. They never feel sorry for themselves. Emotionally healthy people control their emotions, especially fear, sadness and anger. In the face of adversity, they boldly rise to the challenge. And when they pursue their goals, they do so with passion and determination. They Are Not Afraid of Failure Mentally tough people are always ready to take a leap of faith into the great unknown. They don’t listen to naysayers who may include their family or others close to them. If they believe something is worth doing, they’ll forge ahead fully committed. It doesn’t matter to them if they fail. What matters to them is they tried. They Are Not Afraid of Rejection The fear of rejection is one significant deterrent for many people. But, mentally healthy people like great salespersons don’t take it personally when they’re told “no thanks”, “another time perhaps” or even simply waved away. They are self-assured, mentally and emotionally. In the aftermath of rejection, they simply move on with their confidence intact. They Stick To Their Dreams Mentally healthy people are unwavering when it comes to their aspirations in life. They view challenges as mountains to surmount. They expect hardships and obstacles but do not avoid them. Aware that there is no easy road to success, they stay the course. At the end of the road, they know they will achieve their goals in life. They Never Stop Learning Socrates said that admitting one’s ignorance is the beginning of wisdom. Benjamin Franklin and others have said something similar but the point is this – mentally tough people don’t pretend to know everything. Despite having degrees, they continue to seek knowledge by reading books and other publications, searching the internet or enrolling in formal courses. Mentally tough people learn from their mistakes, failures and rejections. They treat these as guides for their future actions. Ask any successful person. They’ll tell you that experience, good or bad, is always a great teacher. Wrapping Up If you want to be mentally healthy, you have to take seriously the qualities you just read. With just the right effort and determination, you’ll achieve that mental toughness you desire.

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How to Increase Employee Engagement

Emotional Intelligence, Positive Psychology, Wellbeing, Workplace Culture / My Holland

Organizations are now placing more emphasis on employee engagement. Hiring policies today reflect this growing trend. Companies are seeking candidates who not only possess the required skills but have the potential to be highly engaged employees. Companies are also looking inward. They are exploring ways to achieve better employee engagement in the workplace. Below are three suggestions on how you can attain this. Create an Environment for Belongingness A high salary is no longer sufficient to encourage employees to be highly engaged. Many people feel that their employment is only secure as long as their employers view their jobs as necessary. You can’t blame people when they think this way. Employees who dedicated years of their lives to an organization may suddenly lose their jobs because of downsizing or cost-cutting. Fortunately, more companies are beginning to see the benefits of creating an environment where people can feel they belong. They are bringing back the old idea that employees who share their vision are part of a family instead of an organization. Senior officers, department heads and managers are shifting to a leadership style that emphasizes “we” instead of “us” or ”them.” It’s wise if you do the same. Often, praise or an expression of affirmation is all that it takes to make an employee feel valued by your company. If you’re a leader, treat your subordinates as partners who are working with you to achieve shared goals. Unless told otherwise, keep everyone in the loop on the latest news or updates. Recognize effort beyond expectations. Finally, give credit where credit is due. Inspect the areas where your employees work. Are these areas well lit and ventilated? Are the chairs comfortable and desks big enough? Do your employees have the proper tools and equipment to do their work? People won’t feel valued if they work in poor conditions. Employees who feel they belong and appreciated are more liy to become highly engaged in their work. Coming to work no longer feels like a burden. When they are a part of something bigger, they’re bound to be excited every day they go to work. Encourage Creativity and Innovation Organizations claim they encourage employees to think outside the box. Not everyone practices what they preach. Many leaders become insecure when their subordinates come up with better ideas. Instead of encouraging creativity, they stifle it. But if you feel secure in your position, always ask your employees for their opinions and ideas. If there are better ways to perform tasks, it helps everyone in the organization. New ideas save time and also improve the bottom line. Make it a practice to listen to any new idea. Don’t dismiss it immediately if it hasn’t been tried yet. Be receptive and make comments later after you’ve made a proper study. Build Personal Relationships Get to know your employees better. Spend time with them at cafes, bars and restaurants. In a relaxed environment, you can find out what motivates them and what they enjoy doing. Who knows, you might even discover hidden skills which can be applied at work. Also, when they are comfortable with you, they’re likely to be more honest. Keep in mind you should be honest with them too. Foster friendships at your workplace. If employees work with people they see as friends, they’re more committed to the team and the organization. They’re bound to strive harder and become more engaging because they want to help their friends. You know this is true as you would always choose to work with people you call friends. Conscientiously apply the steps above and soon, you will see an improvement in your organization. What was once perhaps a group of indifferent people will now be replaced by highly engaged friends. To learn more about our upcoming trainings, programs, and events, click here.

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Learning How To Manage Your Emotions Will Help You Achieve Inner Peace

Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Positivity / My Holland / Achieve Inner Peace, Managing Your emotions

“Whatever is begun in anger, ends in Shame.” It was Benjamin Franklin who said this. The wise man that he was, he knew, no doubt, that emotions shape not only our thoughts and behavior but our lives as well. “A calm mind leads directly to peace of mind.” It was Dalai Lama who said this. Wise as well, this world-famous Buddhist guru recommends we use logic and valid reasoning to create a frame of mind that will overcome destructive emotions. Through reasoning, love needs to be cultivated as an antidote to anger. The Dalai Lama continues to say that at one time in the past, compassion was seen as a sign of weakness, and anger was a sign of power and strength. He believes basic human nature is more compassionate and that this is the real basis of our hope. To have some sort of a road map for our emotions to develop a calm mind, the Dalai Lama had asked the well-known and highly respected emotion scientist, Dr. Paul Ekman to help create this guide to inner peace but that religion should be kept away from it. Some of the more relevant truths that came out of this unselfish efforts are: Emotions are instant responses of the brain. We don’t choose them. They simply happen to us with no exceptions. They are universal. They happen to all of us. What’s more, the facial signals that come with these emotions are the same in all cultures. We all experience the five basic emotions: anger, hatred, disgust, fear, and happiness. The factors and elements that trigger these emotions are universal as well. When are emotions destructive? Experts agree that all emotions are natural. They’re pretty normal and for the most part, are alright. They become destructive though when they are expressed inappropriately. In other words, it’s ok to be sad when a dear one passes away. But when this sadness turns into depression, it is inappropriate. Destructive emotions make the situation worse. They create long term harm. We see this in people who suffer from endless cynicism and keen hostility. This is a pattern that comes with fierce anger and frequent thoughts that people cannot be trusted. Chances are, these people who have acquired cynical hostility are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases and die at a younger age. To overcome destructive emotions, learn to build constructive emotions – Going through anger and hatred? Develop compassion. Try Love and patience. Destructive emotions occur on impulse. Usually, they’re founded on illogical reasoning and misconceptions. On the other hand, constructive emotions are practical and realistic. They’re based on valid observations and logical reasoning. What results from constructive emotions? A calm mind. We begin to see and experience life more realistically. And what kills a calm mind? Hatred, anger, greed, fear, suspicions and too much ambition. As a final call to adhere and develop constructive emotions, remember what the Dalai Lama says … Just as we learn about physical hygiene in the interest of good health, we now need to learn about emotional hygiene to achieve inner peace.

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Research Findings About Sticking To New Year’s Resolutions

Goals, Mindfulness, Motivation, Positive Psychology / My Holland

“I’ll stop smoking from here on in.” “I resolve to pay my debts and I.O.U’s on a more regular basis.” “I’ll do some jogging every morning or do some brisk walking at night when I’m unable to get up from bed at sunrise.” With the onset of 2019, these are some of the most common New Year’s resolutions (not too many resolved to be less sexually active) you’ll hear from family and friends, colleagues and associates at work and school mates. Funny thing is … like promises, as some cynics might say, they’re meant to be broken. Let’s see what research has to say about these. Conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton, a 2014 survey found that seventy-seven percent (77%) of people stuck to their New Year’s resolutions during the first week. Six months after, this figure goes spiraling down to forty-six percent (46%). Given that fifty-five percent (55%) of resolutions are related to health and fitness and twenty percent (20%) has to do with paying off financial obligations, human behavior experts and psychologists felt this was quite disconcerting and dug deeper to get a better understanding as to why this happens. An analysis on the subject led by Ayelet Fishbach from the University of Chicago and Kaitlin Woolley of Cornell University found that, in a nutshell, people were less likely to stick to a resolution or a goal that did not offer an immediate payoff, or at least a reward that is obvious and can easily be seen. So what does one have to do to stick and follow through on a New Year’s resolution? Michelle Segar, director of Sport, Health and Activity Research and Policy Center at the University of Michigan says the trick is … to “feel like every little bit of self-improvement counts.” In other words, if you’re planning to join a ten kilometer (10K) marathon, you don’t train for just one day. Neither can you pay off a business or student loan with a single check? As the popular saying goes … there aren’t any elevators to reaching a goal. You gotta take the stairs. Some of the other hard-working tips that will help you stick to your guns re New Year’s resolutions are : Stay away from temptations. If you resolve to stop smoking, stay away from people who smoke and pubs and bars that have that hard-to-ignore cigarette fragrance permeating the air. Plan a course of action. Resolving to pay off debts regularly? Calendarize it or have your payroll guy at the office deduct a portion of your paycheck each payday. And, most importantly, should you backslide into something you resolved to stop doing, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t give up on the goal or the resolution altogether. Stick to it like glue.

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Positive Psychology

The Art of Leadership During Difficult Times

Qualities of Mentally Strong People

How to Increase Employee Engagement

Learning How To Manage Your Emotions Will Help You Achieve Inner Peace

Research Findings About Sticking To New Year’s Resolutions

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