What is positive psychology. How and why should you implement positive psychology based interventions in the workplace. Discover here how these contribute to employee well-being. These slides were the basis for the discussion at the Metal Health and Well-being Seminar hosted by The Conference Board.

1. Peeran Mukadam, CEO, Iconoclast Consulting (erstwhile Director, HR & OD at Heidelberg USA)
Applying Positive Psychology at Heidelberg
Conference Board Seminar on Workplace Wellbeing – May 2017
https://www.intelligenthq.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Positive_Psychology.jpg

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“The mind is its own place and in
itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a
Hell of Heaven”
- John Milton

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Psychology as a science should:
Be focused on strength as well
as weakness
Be interested in improving as
well as repairing
Help normal people live
fulfilling lives as well as healing
Roots of Positive Psychology
Dr. Martin Seligman, Former Head of
the American Psychological Association
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What is Positive Psychology?
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• Positive Psychology is a strengths-based psychology
that works to promote optimal functioning across the full
range of human functioning, from disorder and distress to
health & fulfilment (Linley & Joseph, 2004)
• It is the science of optimal functioning (Gable & Haidt,
2005)
Positive Psychology ≠ Positive Thinking

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Martin Seligman - UPenn
Learned Optimism
Phenomenon of learned
helplessness.
Explanatory Styles
Learned Optimism
Promoting Wellbeing
Positive Emotions
Engagement
Relationships
Meaning
Accomplishment
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Shawn Achor – Harvard University
Research proves that positive people
are:
 37% more successful in sales!
 19% more accurate!
 31% more productive!
 3X more creative!
 10X more engaged!
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Importance for HR/ Talent Management Leaders?
Key driver of performance and productivity.
Positive cultures help people thriving in a VUCA world.
Organizational transformation is fueled by personal
transformation.
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Heidelberg at a glance – who we are
The Business model is based on three
market segments:
They are the foundation of our future growth by
transforming from a technology-driven business to one
driven by market trends and customer needs.
Increase Service
and Consumables
percentage of
sales to 50 %Service growth
based on largest
installed base
Expand leading
position in
packaging;
investments in
digital printing
Expand market
share in
Consumables;
Applications-Know-
how; broaden
eCommerce
Growth segments
Major provider and reliable
partner to the global printing
industry
Equipment
Services
Consumables
and
beyond!
About € 2.3 bill. sales in
FY 14/15 with world wide around
12,000 employees.
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Customer

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Applying Positive Psychology at Heidelberg
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1. Appreciative Inquiry method for World Class Customer Response (WCCR).
2. Character Strengths model for team building & leadership development.
3. Wellness initiatives to support flourishing at work.

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“AI is an exciting way to embrace organizational change.
AI begins by identifying what is positive and connecting to it
in ways that heighten energy and vision for change.”
Cooperrider, David L; Whitney, Diana; and Stavros, Jacqueline M., Appreciative Inquiry Handbook
What is Appreciative Inquiry?

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WCCR Summits involved 120 employees & 10 customer
organizations
Phase 4 Brainstorming
Phase 5/6 Planning &
Implementation
APPRECIATION:
Root Causes of Success
AMBITION:
Envision What Could Be
Where and Who Have We Been?
AIM:
Decide What
Should Be
ACTION:
Implement What Will
Be

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World Class Customer Response Outcomes
 Reorganized customer service center roles & responsibilities.
 Dedicated call dispatch, parts and billing per US Region.
 Reconfigured workspaces to facilitate communication.
 Process improvement through value stream mapping led to 25% lower call waiting
times within 3 months.
 Work streams within WCCR led to multiple revenue generating programs:
 Active Participation in Sales for Service Technicians. Yielded $3.5 Million additional
service and parts revenue in first year of implementation.
 Business Consulting offerings were enhanced to include online testing of customer
operators ($100,000 in revenue).
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VIA Character Strengths Model
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 Developed by Chris Petersen and Martin Seligman.
 200 texts spanning 3000 years of history reviewed. Distilled human
qualities that define virtue and character.
 Model contains 24 Character Strengths within 6 Virtue Areas.
 Free online test with approx. 200 questions (20 min completion time)
available on: https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/testcenter
 The test report provides a ranking of your strengths. The top 5 strengths
are considered your Signature Strengths.
 Research shows that people who apply their signature strengths in
everyday tasks report higher life satisfaction.

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Overview of VIA Strengths
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We’ve used the model in team building workshops and leadership training

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Wellness Initiatives
Mindfulness
Meditation
Nutrition
Lunch n
Learns
Fitness
Classes
Language
Training
● Title ● Author ● Date 16

17. Peeran Mukadam, CEO, Iconoclast Consulting (erstwhile Director, HR & OD at Heidelberg USA)
Applying Positive Psychology at Heidelberg
Conference Board Seminar on Workplace Wellbeing – May 2017
https://www.intelligenthq.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Positive_Psychology.jpg