What is the environment like at your workplace?

In her article, ‘The Six Essentials of Workplace Positivity’, Dr. Elizabeth F. Cabrera focuses on how companies can cultivate positive work environments. What is the big reason to push positive work environments? Dr. Cabrera notes how the current research showcases a competitive advantage for more positive companies.

“People who experience positive emotions at work have higher levels of engagement, organizational citizenship behavior, and job performance, and are less likely to experience or engage in counterproductive behavior.” Dr. Cabrera.

The benefits from positive work environments:

Mental Benefits: The positive environment can foster creativity and lead employees to feelings of safety and control

Social Benefits: The positive environment can foster healthier relationships with less unnecessary social conflict

Psychological Benefits: The combination of cognitive and interpersonal benefits can result in lower levels of anxiety and depression on average for employees

Health Benefits: Dr. Cabrera points out how positive people generally are in higher physical health.

The Six Essentials necessary to cultivate a positive work environment:

Positive Thinking: The emphasis in positive thinking, according to Dr. Cabrera, is to focus on perspective through any challenges or successes one might encounter. Components of this feature are positive focus, optimism, gratitude, and forgiveness.

Positive Relationships: The research cited in the article focuses on the effect positive relations have on an individuals’ happiness. Components of this feature are respect, recognition, trust, and generosity.

Strengths: When it comes to strengths, Dr. Cabrera focuses on the natural drive within individuals to focus on their potential. Components for this feature include identify, use, and develop.

Empowerment: Within empowerment, the focus is on allowing people to experience success and achievement within their role. Components of this feature are clarity, support, and autonomy.

Meaning: Finding meaning within a role is a crucial aspect for employees according to Dr. Cabrera, she mentions this as specific importance to Americans in the workforce. Components of this feature are mission, impact, and social responsibility.

Well-Being: The last essential is well-being, this component looks at the manager’s role in the wellbeing of their employees. Components for this feature are health, fun, and work-life fit.

What does this mean for coaches?

There are substantial benefits within the work of Dr. Cabrera to consider when it comes to positive work environments. Understanding the benefit of cultivating a healthy work environment, and being able to showcase it to leaders and coaches is a crucial first step in leaders wanting to cultivate a positive work environment of their own.

Once a leader has decided they are motivated to establish a positive work environment, the six essentials can be a holistic guide to the necessary attention to detail required.. As coaches, knowing these essentials and understanding the background can help you prepare your clients for the work they have planned.

If you would like to read the full article by Dr. Cabrera, you can access that here: http://innovationecosystem.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/63566498/Cabrera-6essentials.pdf


IOC's Tips of the Week are authored by Austin Matzelle