An introduction to positive psychology and strengths

1. Confidential 1www.wicrhub.com
Reinvigorate your Career:
Unlock your Strengths
A bite size workshop for pub
psychologists

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You at your best
Think about a time when you were
really energised at work. A time when
you were operating at your “best”
or a “peak experience” in your career
What were you doing?
How were you feeling?
What was the impact?
Discuss with your neighbour

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The study of:
o What makes life worth
living
o Optimal human
functioning, happiness,
joy, flourishing, peak
performance
Positive Psychology

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Aiming for plus 10
Traditional
Psychology
Positive
Psychology
+1
0
-
10
0
+10
-10
0

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Busting the weaknesses myth …..
Conventional wisdom:
“In order to grow and develop to our fullest
capabilities we must actively focus on
rectifying our weaknesses.”
Assumptions:
That people achieve success in the same
way and that we can all be well rounded
performers in all aspects of everything that
we do!

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“Years of research prove that
individuals playing to their
strengths significantly
outperform those who don't ”
Marcus Buckingham,
Management Guru and Author,
2009
Our area of greatest potential and growth actually lies
within our areas of strength

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The Characteristics of your
Strengths
What are your tell tale signs
that you are using your
Strengths?

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There is something
about your biological or
psychological make-up
that predisposes you to
have that particular
Strength
A Strength is pre-existing

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When people use their
Strengths, they feel as if
they have more energy
available to them
A Strength is energizing

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People feel more
engaged, more alive,
more vigorous, and
more in flow when
they are using their
Strengths
A Strength enables optimal
functioning

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When you are using your
Strengths, you feel like
you are being the “real
you”
A Strength is authentic

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Strengths are not necessarily (just) the
things you are good at….
“Underlying qualities that energise us, contribute to
our personal growth and lead to peak performance"
(Brook and Brewerton, 2006)

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Your career peaks
and troughs can tell
you a lot about what
energizes you
What do yours look
like?
Your Career Timeline
1

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So what are your top seven
strengths?

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You at your best…
Data Collection:
• Online surveys
• Strengths Engagement
Index
• Feedback
• Performance Appraisals
• Video Stories
• Business Results
Select 3 strengths cards in the pack which you
feel represent you at your best and discuss
the following:
- How do these show up for you?
- How have you used these in the past to
get real energy satisfaction and /or
success in your career?
- Give a specific example of how these
have been used either independently or
in combination with each other..

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The things you do that might
trip you up or get in the way
of you achieving your goals
at work, may actually be
your Strengths ….

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Example: Persuasiveness

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Enthusiasm
Strength at its
best
You demonstrate
passion and energy in
the pursuit of your
goals

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Enthusiasm
Strength at its
best
Strength in
Overdrive
You demonstrate
passion and energy in
the pursuit of your
goals
Sometimes you come
across as too emotive
and overwhelming!

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Critical Thinking
Strength at its
best
You deal with
information
systematically, and
evaluate it objectively

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Critical Thinking
Strength at its
best
Strength in
Overdrive
You deal with
information
systematically, and
evaluate it objectively
Sometimes you come
across as negative and
overly critical!

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Detail Orientation
Strength at its
best
You attend to detail to
produce the highest
quality output

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Detail Orientation
Strength at its
best
Strength in
Overdrive
You attend to detail to
produce the highest
quality output
Sometimes you miss the
bigger picture, losing
perspective… and be
seen as a perfectionist!

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Where might you be
displaying “too much of a
good thing?”

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o Discuss with another partner how your
strengths can sometimes go into overdrive
and have unintended consequences.
o Think about how you can prevent this from
becoming a weakness or a derailer for you
in your working life.
Can there be too much of a good thing?

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Taking action
Executive Strength: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Organisations.
What’s one strength
you could leverage
now for more career
success and
satisfaction?
How could you
apply it
productively?

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Thank you!
ruth@executive-strength.com
ph: 0800 170 1018
twitter: @execstrength