Understanding positive psychology and its relevance to organizations

Pages:187-190
Yogesh Pahuja (HR Consultant and Trainer)

The aim of Positive Psychology is to study the best things in life that lead to well being, to positive individuals, and to flourishing community. Positive Psychology emphasis is on building structures, cultures, processes, leadership and other organizational conditions that foster positive dynamics in human communities. The field of “Positive Psychology” is still in its nascent stage. In its current level of understanding it is fitted into a three-tier framework. At the subjective level it is about positive experiences, at the individual level it is about the character strengths and at the group level it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship. Luthans has drawn on the Positive Psychology movement to coin a new term called Positive Organizational Behaviour or simply POB and has defined the following elements that he believes can be used to improve organization’s performance namely; Optimism, Hope, Happiness or Self Well Being (SWB), Resilience, Emotional Intelligence and Confidence/Self-Efficacy.