Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast

Rasmus Hougaard is the founder and managing director of Potential Project, a global leadership training, organizational development and research firm, who help leaders and organization to enhance performance, innovation, and resilience through mindfulness and other practices grounded in neuroscience and research. Rasmus writes for the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Business Insider, and has led more than 1500 keynotes and workshops around the world. His most recent book, The Mind of the Leader, is based on research with more than 35,000 leaders and executives and provides a pathway to great leadership in the 21st century. In today’s episode, Rasmus explains why 21st century leaders need to cultivate the qualities of mindfulness, selflessness and compassion for themselves, their teams and their organizations and how this can be practically achieved. Connect with Rasmus: Website: www.potentialproject.com You’ll Learn: [02:11] - Rasmus explains why 86% of leaders rate themselves as inspiring and good role

Dr. Jason Fox is a motivational speaker, best selling author, leadership advisor and wizard rogue of ace repute. Often sought for his fresh perspectives, contemporary philosophies, and deep expertise in motivation design, Jason shows forward-thinking leaders around the world how to unlock new progress and pry deeper into uncharted territory. His clients include Fortune 500 companies around the world, and he’s also the best selling author of “The Game Changer” and “How to Lead a Quest: A Handbook for Pioneering Leaders”. His research has been featured in the likes of Smart Company, Huffington Post, BRW, and the Financial Review. In today’s episode, we discuss how leaders can challenge the mindsets that keep them stuck in conventional thinking, by embracing the principals of motivational design and framing change opportunities as quests. Connect with Jason: Website: www.drjasonfox.com You’ll Learn: [02:14] - Jason explains how game design can be used to motivate behavior change in workplaces. [04:13] - Jason e

Dr. Laura Morgan Roberts is a teaching professor of management at Georgetown University, whose research examines how leaders cultivate positive identities in diverse work organization. Laura’s publications ‘How to Apply Your Strengths’ and ‘Creating A Positive Professional Image’ are among the most popular articles from Harvard Business Publishing and have been featured in several media outlets. She’s the editor of numerous books including Exploring Positive Identities in Organizations with Jane Dutton and is a co-founder of RPAQ Solutions, a research and consulting firm that brings strength-based practices to leaders who seek extraordinary performance and personal fulfillment. In today’s episode, we discuss creating a positive work identity, and the effect it has on our personal brand, our sense of meaning and our relationships at work. Connect with Laura: Website: lauramorganroberts.com You’ll Learn: [02:43] - Laura explains what it means to have a positive work-related identity [09:32] - Laura introduces

Leah Weiss is a researcher, lecturer, consultant, and author who teaches compassionate leadership at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she created the perennially waitlisted course, Leading With Mindfulness and Compassion. Leah is a principal teacher, and a founding faculty member of Stanford’s Compassion Cultivation Programme conceived by the Dali Llama. Her first book “How We Work: Live Your Purpose, Reclaim your Sanity and Embrace the Daily Grind” focuses on developing compassionate and soft skill-based leadership, while also offering research backed actionable steps towards finding purpose at work. In today’s episode, Leah talks to us about why business leaders are lining up to learning how to be more compassionate in workplaces and how this is helping them to harness the wisdom of their emotions, to fail better in order to learn and to find more purpose in their work. Connect with Leah: Website: leahweissphd.com You’ll Learn: [02:01] - Leah explains why graduate students are lining up to l

Susan David is an award willing psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, co-founder, and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology, a boutique business consultancy. She’s the author of the number one Wall Street Journal best selling book “Emotional Agility,” based on her concept that Harvard Business Review heralded as a management idea of the year, and has been featured in numerous leading publications including The New York Times, Washington Post and Time Magazine, and has worked with the senior leadership of hundreds of major organisations including the United Nations, Ernst & Young, and the World Economic Forum. In today’s episode, we’ll discuss why emotions are not simply positive or negative, and how we can navigate the way we feel in more agile and effective ways at work. Connect with Susan: Website: http://www.susandavid.com/ You’ll Learn: [02:20] - Susan explains why thinking of emotion as positive or negative can undermine pe

Dr. Adam Fraser is a human performance researcher and consultant who studies how organizations adopt a high-performance culture to thrive in the challenging and evolving business landscape. Adam has worked with elite-level athletes, the armed forces, and business professionals of all levels, and in the last five years, he has delivered more than 600 presentations to over 50,000 people in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing how struggle functions as a stimulus for change in workplaces. Connect with Adam: Website: dradamfraser.com You’ll Learn: [02:09] - Adam shares how he’s been helping leaders at Queensland Urban Utilities evolve their mindsets and behaviors to better support their people. [04:21] - Adam explains how he creates safe spaces for them to learn to lead with vulnerability. [06:15] - Adam shares what his research has found about helping HR teams to thrive. [08:11] - Adam expands on what his research has found about the importance of having challenging opportun

Michelle is a senior fellow at the University of Melbourne and holds a Masters in Positive Psychology and a provisional Ph.D. on how AI summits create positive disruptions that enable systems to flourish. She’s the author of several books, and her newest book, “Your Change Blueprint” with Professor David Cooperrider is about to be released. Michelle also works with organizations around the world on finding ways to help people flourish. In today’s anniversary episode, we’ll discuss Michelle’s hot of the PhD presses research findings on how AI Summits can be used to create positive disruptions that enable people and systems to flourish. Connect with Emily: Website: https://www.michellemcquaid.com/ [free_product_purchase id="27103"] You’ll Learn: [01:50] - Michelle explains how Appreciative Inquiry helps people and systems to create positive changes. [03:46] - Michelle outlines how an AI Summit differs from other appreciative inquiry applications. [07:03] - Michelle shares what she has observed about AI Summits

Emily Larson serves as the director of the International Positive Education Network and is an assistant instructor in the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania. Emily has worked on various positive education projects in Nepal, India, the Philippines, the UK and the USA. She holds numerous board positions and is a published author. In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing how schools are applying positive psychology to help improve wellbeing across the school environment and what other organizations can learn from their efforts about creating systemic change. Connect with Emily: Website: ipen-festival.com You’ll Learn: [01:58] - Emily explains what schools are learning about applying positive psychology findings to improve people’s wellbeing. [03:05] - Emily shares why a systemic approach to improving people’s wellbeing can be so important. [05:10] - Emily provides a case study of how a school is implementing a systemic approach to the wellbeing of teachers, students,

Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School. She’s an expert on leadership, teams and organizational learning, whose research on psychological safety in workplaces has been discussed in the New York Times, the Financial Times, Forbes and many other media outlets around the world and is the author of several books, including her most recent, Extreme Teaming: Lessons in Complex, Cross-Sector Teaming. In today’s episode, we discuss why Google have found that psychological safety is the common factor in all of their highest performing teams, and what you can do in your workplaces to improve psychological safety for others. Connect with Amy: Website:  Amy Edmonson HBS Faculty Profile [free_product_purchase id="26666"] You’ll Learn: [02:03] - Amy explains why more and more workplaces are talking about the need for psychological safety. [04:43] - Amy offers practical tips for leaders to improve the levels of psychological safety in their teams. [06:38] - Amy e

Dr. Mark Williamson, who is the Co-founder and Director of Action for Happiness. Since creating and launching Action for Happiness in 2011, Mark has engaged with a vast range of organizations, projects, and people on the topics of happiness, well-being, and resilience, including leading academics, major multinational corporations, public sector organizations, policymakers, schools, charities, and community organizations. He’s led the development of all of the Action for Happiness resources and activities and has spoken regularly on related topics at events and conferences across the UK and around the world. In today’s episode, we’ll explore how Action for Happiness are helping to improve people’s wellbeing in workplaces and communities around the world. Connect with Mark: Website: actionforhappiness.org/ You’ll Learn: [02:04] - Mark explains how Action for Happiness became a global movement to improve people’s wellbeing. [04:09] - Mark shares how Action for Happiness has mobilized wellbeing champions around

Paul Zak is the founding director of the Centre for Neuroeconomic Studies and professor of economics, psychology, and management at Claremont Graduate University. Paul is part of the team of scientists that first made the connection between oxytocin and trust, and this TED Talk on the topic has received over a million views. His latest book, Trust Factor, The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies uses neuroscience to measure and manage organizational cultures to inspire teamwork and accelerate business outcomes. In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the effects of oxytocin on trust and how heightening the OXYTOCIN factors can help to build stronger and more effective teams in workplaces. Connect with Paul: Website: pauljzak.com [free_product_purchase id="26345"] You’ll Learn: [01:57] - Paul explains how neuromanagement works. [04:33] - Paul outlines the OXYTOCIN factors that workplaces can build to improve trust in organizations. [08:30] - Paul explains how to confidently share neuroscience findin

Dr. Elaine O’Brien is an educator, trainer, author, presenter, speaker, and pioneer in the Health, Exercise, and Fitness Industry, as well as a leader in the burgeoning science of Applied Positive Psychology. She is CEO of Lifestyle Medicine Coaching & Training, a consultancy, & FitDance: Move2Love providing training, presentations, and program content development around positive health, whole fitness, optimal performance, exercise and aging well through the lifespan. Elaine delivers positive exercise programming, and training protocols to help boost motivation, exercise adherence, enjoyment, and whole health and wellbeing across domains and through the lifespan.  In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the psychology of human movement and the small steps you can take in workplaces to keep people’s bodies, hearts and minds functioning at their best. Connect with Elaine: Website: Elaine O'Brien (LinkedIn) [free_product_purchase id="26102"] You’ll Learn: [02:07] - Elaine explains the psychology of huma

  Rick Hanson is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at the Greater Good Science Centre at UC Berkeley, and New York Times bestselling author. Founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, he’s been an invited speaker at NASA, Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, and other major universities, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. His books are available in 26 languages and include Hard Wiring Happiness, and his newest book, Resilient, has been featured on the BBC, CBS, and NPR. In today’s episode, we’ll be talking about how to develop the traits of resilience to help people manage their levels of anxiety and stress in the workplace. Connect with Rick: Website: www.rickhanson.net/ [free_product_purchase id="25900"] You’ll Learn: [02:12] - Rick explains why modern life is neurologically heightening our levels of anxiety. [04:38] - Rick explains how we can be more resilient in the face of constant change, uncertainty and complexity in workplaces. [07:37] - Rick shares the three simple ste

Zoe Galvez and Betsy Crouch, co-founders of ImprovHQ, help leaders and organizations develop effective communication, exceptional collaboration, and engaged cultures through interactive learning experiences, based on the principles of improvisation and positive psychology. They deliver workshops, keynotes, and executive coaching programmes, to workplaces that include Twitter, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Dropbox, and many more. Today we’ll be discussing how the principles and practices of improvisation can be used to teach people the skills of positive psychology in workplaces. Connect with Betsy and Zoe: Website: improvhq.com [free_product_purchase id="25798"] You’ll Learn: [02:36] - Zoe and Betsy explain how positive psychology practices can be fused with improvisation techniques to help people flourish at work. [05:40] - The Improv HQ team give examples of how improvisation skills can develop people’s resilience. [09:02] - Zoe explains why every conversation at work is an opportunity for connection or conf

Dr. Tal Ben Shahar is the co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy and the creator and instructor of the Certificate in Happiness Studies Programme. Known around the world for teaching two of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history, Positive Psychology and the Psychology of Leadership, Tal is also an international best-selling author and the co-founder of Potential Life and Happier TV. Today we’ll be exploring the concept of wholebeing and why our happiness at work and in life is interconnected. Connect with Tal-Ben Shahar: Website: talbenshahar.com [free_product_purchase id="25707"] You’ll Learn: [01:37] - Tal shares the impact positive psychology has had over the last decade in workplaces. [02:30] - Tal talks about the need to bring together different scientific disciplines in order to further the study of happiness. [04:23] - Tal introduces the concept of wholebeing and why people need to SPIRE. [06:38] - Tal explains why our happiness is interconnected with our environment and what this means pr

Jenn Lim is the CEO of Delivering Happiness, a company she and Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, co-founded to inspire passion and purpose as part of their profitable happiness business model. To achieve this, Jenn delivers talks, interactive workshops, executive alignment sessions and culture team training for companies all over the world, and with the help of her team, they also create some wonderful tools to measure and improve happiness in workplaces. In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing how to leverage Self-Determination Theory practices to help employees feel happier, ensure customers are more satisfied and deliver and improve the bottom line for your workplace. Connect with Jenn Lim: Website: deliveringhappiness.com [free_product_purchase id="25441"] You’ll Learn: [02:00] - Jenn shares the story of Zappos and how they have created a flourishing culture. [06:21] - Jenn explains how Self-Determination Theory provides the foundation for a happiness business model. [07:36] - Jenn shares practical examples

Dr. Timothy Sharp runs one of Australia’s most respected clinical psychology practices, is a highly regarded executive coaching practice, and is the founder and chief happiness officer of the happiness institute, Australia’s first and now largest organization devoted solely to enhancing happiness in individuals, families, and workplaces. An adjunct professor in positive psychology at the University of Technology in Sydney and RMIT University, Tim is a sought-after public speaker who makes frequent media appearances, and is the author of, among other things, “100 Ways to Happiness: A Guide for Busy People” and most recently, “Live Happier, Live Longer: A Guide to Positive Ageing”. In today’s episode we’ll discuss how to help people find the time to integrate wellbeing practices into their workplace. Connect with Tim Sharp: Connect with Tim Sharp: Website: www.drhappy.com.au/ [free_product_purchase id="25009"] You’ll Learn: [03:28] - Tim details the acronym CHOOSE, which relates to the idea of choosing happine

Stella Grizont is a graduate at the University of Pennsylvania’s Master’s of Applied Positive Psychology programme and is an executive coach who has worked with over 14,000 people in 21 countries. Stella has also delivered workshops to organizations including Google, Johnson and Johnson, Young & Rubicam to inspire their employees to develop a positive work culture. Her unique approach to loving your work has been featured on MSNBC, ABC news and the Today Show. In today’s episode Stella explains the power of playful mindset to help us avoid getting stuck in the common mind traps most of us struggle with at work. Connect with Stella Grizont: Website: www.woopaah.com  You’ll Learn: [05:06] – Stella explains how the playful mindset can help approach uncertain situations with curiosity rather than fear at work. [10:38] – Stella shares how complaining can become a common mind trap, because it triggers our negativity bias over and over again. [11:56] – Stella talks about how comparing yourself to others is anot

Dr. Diana Whitney is the founder and president of Positive Change, a global consultancy that helps executives and their teams design and facilitate high engagement, appreciative inquiry processes in support of business goals, strategies and innovation. Diana is also the co-founder of the Taos Institute, an education think-tank with over 500 international associates, teaching and doing research into constructive, relational processes in business, education families and communities. Diana is also the author of 18 books and dozens of articles and chapters including the Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change. She has more than 30 years of experience in helping make change happen, and teaching people how to make change happen around the world. In today’s episode, Diana shares how she uses appreciative inquiry approaches to help organizations have a curious mindset and discover what gives life to their people to help systems create changes that work.  Diana shares several case studies a

Reuben Rusk is the founder of Mind Quip, a social enterprise in Christ Church New Zealand whose vision is to create a happier and more productive workforce. Reuben is a lifelong learner and a big picture thinker who's passionate about teaching people to improve their lives and their wellbeing by distilling large amounts of research into down to earth training about what matters most. An experienced presenter and recognized expert in well being and resilience, Reuben’s research has been published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, the psychology of wellbeing, and the Journal of Happiness studies. In today’s episode, we’ll be talking about the five domains Rueben’s research has found lie at the heart of more than 18,000 peer-reviewed positive psychology intervention articles and how these can be combined to create a synergistic and holistic approach to create wellbeing behavior changes that work. Connect with Reuben Rusk: Website: mindquip.com [free_product_purchase id="24176"] You’ll Learn: [02:00] - Reub