Making Positive Psychology Work

Al Comeaux is a former executive at Travelocity, GE, American airlines. As a senior leader, Al has championed change across a range of workplaces and undertaken a 20-year journey researching why so many change efforts fail and what's needed for success. Al is the founder of Primed For Change, a disruptive project to prepare leaders to take organizations successfully through change, and this week he has released a new book called Change Management. In this episode, we explore how senior leaders think about change in workplaces and how they can balance being SMART with taking an approach that wins people's HEARTS. Connect with Al Comeaux: https://alcomeaux.com/ You'll Learn: [02:58] - Al explains what most often takes leaders by surprise when it comes to trying to successfully create change in workplaces. [06:23] - Al helps us explore if leaders should be more focused on understanding the problems or the opportunities for change in their organization. [07:44] - Al offers tips for helping leaders to consistently explain the opportunity for change across their workplace, whilst allowing teams to make the change personally meaningful. [09:43] - Al offers guidance on when leaders should try a top-down versus open source approach to leading change. [14:52] - Al provides examples of how leaders can be SMART and have HEART when it comes to leading change. [18:24] - Al offers examples leaders model the change consistently. [22:31] - Al offers some tips for turning around the change cynics. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It's free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Al!

Mandy O'Neill, a management expert, talks about the importance of companionate love in workplaces. She discusses emotional vs cognitive culture, the impact of leader behavior, and ways to foster positive relationships at work.

Expert Arne Carlsen discusses relational agency and key skills for improving workplace relationships. Topics include deep listening, generative resistance, liberating laughter, psychological safety, and the Best Reflected Self exercise. Learn how to cultivate these skills successfully in teams for better work dynamics.

Dr. Scott Kaufman, a humanistic psychologist and author of "Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization," dives into the nuances of self-actualization, unraveling misconceptions about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. He discusses how workplaces can foster collective growth, emphasizing empathy during challenging times like the pandemic. Scott highlights the importance of aligning personal values with organizational goals and advocates for self-compassion as a pathway to fulfillment. Tune in for insights on navigating personal development in today's world!

In this conversation with Warren Nilsson, an Associate Professor of Social Innovation, listeners dive into how workplaces can emulate social purpose organizations to enact meaningful change. Warren discusses the importance of psychological safety and deep connections for fostering a culture of innovation. He emphasizes the need for organizations to operate within the social field and provides practical tips for aligning internal practices with external goals. This insightful talk highlights the transformative power of empathy and collaboration in driving positive workplace change.

Anne Lomax, a transformative change professional known for her focus on wellbeing, discusses essential strategies for supporting employee wellness during times of disruption. She shares how the CoVID-19 pandemic reshaped Qantas and outlines simple, practical steps organizations can take to promote wellbeing. From integrating daily calm sessions to recognizing team strengths, Anne emphasizes the critical role of leadership and authenticity in fostering resilience. Expect actionable insights and a positive outlook on navigating workplace changes!

Bruce Daisley, former Vice President at Twitter and author of "Eat Sleep Work Repeat," shares his insights on enhancing the remote work experience. He discusses evidence-based strategies for fostering psychological safety within teams, emphasizing the significance of open communication and support. Bruce highlights the role of laughter in building connections and combating burnout, offering practical tips for maintaining social ties despite physical distance. His passion for creating a positive workplace culture shines through, inspiring leaders to prioritize well-being and creativity.

Dr. Adam Fraser, a renowned human performance researcher and author, dives into the transformative power of struggle for growth and learning. He stresses the importance of embracing negative emotions as stepping stones towards personal fulfillment. Adam shares practical strategies to become comfortable with discomfort and how to cultivate a high-performance culture in organizations. By highlighting the value of shared experiences and self-compassion, he encourages listeners to view struggles as essential opportunities for development and connection.

In this discussion, Dr. Peggy Kern, an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, dives into the pressing issue of worker well-being amid crises like COVID-19. She shares her latest research on how workplaces can effectively support employees facing anxiety and economic downturns. Notably, she explores why some individuals thrive despite their struggles and offers practical strategies for fostering resilience. Peggy emphasizes the importance of compassion, psychological safety, and open conversations about challenges to enhance workplace satisfaction.

Join Dr. Michelle McQuaid and Dr. Paige Williams, co-founders of The Leaders Lab, as they delve into the fascinating concept of antifragility in leadership. Paige, a researcher at the University of Melbourne, discusses how leaders can thrive amidst chaos, emphasizing the shift towards a coaching leadership style. They explore practical strategies for managing anxiety, making better decisions, and fostering resilient teams. The duo also highlights the importance of long-term vision and celebrating team successes for boosting morale and cultivating a thriving workplace.