How Positive Psychology Differs from Toxic Positivity

What if your greatest strengths aren’t the ones listed on your résumé, but universal traits we all share? 

Positive psychology shows us that tapping into these character strengths can transform how we work, lead, and connect with others. 

These aren’t just feel-good ideas; they’re proven tools for resilience, performance, and deeper human connection.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings exactly the expertise we need to show how these character strengths can transform our work and leadership.

Natalya Pestalozzi is a professional certified coach through the International Coaching Federation and a positive psychology expert with a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology. She trains practitioners worldwide through the Flourishing Center’s Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology program and coaches leaders in private equity, nonprofits, think tanks, and the federal government. Through her own journey in motherhood, she has a special passion for coaching parents before, during, and after pregnancy.

In this episode, Natalya shares how positive psychology goes beyond “toxic positivity” and equips us with the tools to flourish. She introduces the 24 VIA character strengths, explains how to spot and balance them in yourself and your team, and shows why cultivating these universal traits builds stronger trust, collaboration, and authentic leadership.

In the extended episode, Natalya reveals what to do when someone says they don’t want to change because they see it as inauthentic, and she shares the five character strengths most correlated with happiness and life satisfaction.

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Conversation Topics:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:32) How positive psychology differs from toxic positivity
• (06:53) The PERMA model and the role of strengths in engagement
• (10:20) Examples of VIA character strengths in the workplace
• (14:20) Why it’s sometimes hard to use our strengths at work
• (17:40) Overuse and underuse of strengths
• (19:27) Practical ways to grow and show strengths as managers
• (23:41) Which strengths are particularly helpful for managers
• (27:23) A story of a great manager and early career mentorship
• (33:41) [extended episode] Aligning strengths and values for authentic growth
• (37:11) [extended episode] Ideas for weaving these strengths into team culture

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Natalya Pestalozzi: 

- Connect with Natalya on LinkedIn here 

- Take the VIA strengths character assessment

- To discover more or enroll in CAPP, check out:

https://theflourishingcenter.com/natalya/ The program begins October 21st.

- Learn more www.natalyapestalozzi.com 

Guest Bonus: Masterclass in Positive Psychology and the Science of Flourishing Recording and Finding the Golden Mean PDF

The 60‑minute webinar recording explores the cutting‑edge science behind human flourishing—then translates it into simple, practical actions you can start using the same day. Through research‑backed insights and interactive micro‑exercises, you’ll discover how tiny shifts in mindset and behavior can ignite big gains in vitality, connection, and purpose. 

What You’ll Learn: Flourishing vs. Languishing: Spot where you (and those you serve) sit on the Mental Health Continuum—and how to move upward. 

Pathways to Peak Well‑Being: The six evidence‑based drivers of positivity, engagement, achievement, meaning, relationships, and vitality. 

Why Happiness Fuels Success: Break the myth that you must succeed first to be happy—see how positive emotions actually power performance. 

Taming the Negativity Bias: Simple brain‑based hacks to counter worry, rumination, and “what‑ifs.” 

Micro‑Interventions That Stick: Gratitude, savoring, kindness, and other two‑minute practices that measurably lift mood and resilience.

Prioritizing Positivity: Craft days that naturally generate more joy—at work, at home, and everywhere in between. 

The Golden Mean is using character strengths in a balanced way (optimal use). It is when you apply the right combination of character strengths, to the right degree, in the right situation. This PDF shows the underuse, overuse, and optimal use of character strengths

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

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