Being Positive

Over the last couple of years myself and others from Saline Area Schools have  had the opportunity to learn about the personal and organizational benefits of focusing on the positive from professors at the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan.

With the Holidays over and winter weather upon, now is a good time to remember the benefits of approaching each other and tasks with a positive mindset.

Some tips from University of Michigan Professor Scott DeRue:

• Frame staff’s positive qualities, existing strengths, and past successes as opportunities for building on existing excellence.
• Approach negative experiences with a positive orientation to enhance their developmental value.
• Link and reinforce positive experiences over time to foster positive development cycles.
• Recognize others’ struggles and respond by providing feedback, mentoring, coaching, training, and resources.
• Give frequent feedback about the positive contribution or impact your colleagues have on others.