If you’ve been following this blog or Crystal D for any length of time you know I talk quite a bit about how business improves when employees are recognized. I talk about it so much you may have even turned a deaf ear to my message. If so, it is time to turn up the volume and tune in…we’ve been introduced to some new research that has the potential to revolutionize the recognition industry! It is called POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY.
Positive Psychology
In this case, the ‘positive psychology’ that I am referring to is called The Happiness Advantage™ by the Institute for Applied Positive Research. The research that this organization conducts proves to have huge benefits on individuals personally and for organizations in business and education in terms of productivity.
The Institute for Applied Positive Research has found that 75% of a person’s happiness on the job is related to optimism, social support, and the ability to see stress as a challenge instead of a threat. When the brain is positive it performs significantly better (31% better) than it does in negative, neutral or stressed; intelligence rises, creativity increases, and energy levels rise.
This produces the following business outcomes:
- Better secure jobs
- Better keeping jobs
- Superior productivity
- More resiliency
- Less burnout
- Less turnover
- Greater sales
This is such a promising piece of information because it gives us, as people who recognize others, another tool to to make an even bigger difference in our organizations, workgroups, and communities.
How Can We Use Positive Psychology to Make Our Business Better?
Shawn Anchor, the founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research, has created a process whereby individuals can learn how to increase the level of happiness they experience in their life without changing their circumstances. Thus enabling them to become more productive, more resilient, more creative, and have more energy. All of these outcomes can be measured and related to a business outcome.
- “The goal of science is turning observation into prediction. The goal of business is turning prediction into profit. Thus good science means great business. If you can quantify predictors of success, it’s like adding GPS to your company as it navigates new terrain.” —Shawn Achor
I will keep learning more about this subject and how it relates to our industry; more on this will be coming in the future.
You can learn more by visiting this website: http://www.positiveresearch.com/ and by listening to this video: http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html.
