Positivity and Positive Practices

Sunday, 25 October 2015 00:00
Published in Blog

Positivity produces success in life as much as it reflects success in life. Positivity works to broaden and build our lives. Broadening refers to the opening of the mind with increased attention, creativity and decisiveness. Building refers to the ability to craft a better life.

Research shows the benefits of positive practices include:

  • Increased resilience; increased ability to bounce back from stress
  • Increased curiosity and visioning
  • Expanded attention and thinking
  • Increased creativity and receptivity to others’ ideas
  • Increased scope for thought and action
  • Increased appreciation of others
  • Increased openness to possibility
  • Increased resourcefulness
“It takes courage to choose the positive as a daily leadership practice – especially in the face of poor performance. It is hard to let go of the tendency to criticise and instead be positive, caring and supportive.”
Diana Whitney

Seven reasons to be generous with appreciation: (Diana Whitney)

  1. Recognition lets people know they are on the right track; recognition is an investment not a reward
  2. Appreciation communicates and reinforces your values
  3. Compliments foster a positive emotional environment
  4. Gratitude is a verbal immune boost; it is good for your health
  5. Praise is good for the health of others
  6. Acknowledgment creates a sense of safety
  7. Gratitude encourages risk taking and experimentation

Mindfulness

Thursday, 15 October 2015 00:00
Published in Blog
“Rest is prior to motion and stillness prior to action"
Taoist philosophy

Ariana Huffington is best known for her news website, Huffington Post. Her recently released book, "Thrive," explores wellbeing, wisdom, wonder and giving, dedicating a significant portion of her writing to the beneficial impact of mindfulness on wellbeing. Why mindfulness and wellbeing?

“There is a need to disconnect from our always-connected lives and reconnect with ourselves.”
Ariana Huffington

Coaching and Mindset

Wednesday, 07 October 2015 00:00
Published in Blog

Mindset is enormously powerful and affects motivation, aspiration and achievement. A coachee’s mindset will impact the success of a coaching conversation; a coach’s mindset will also impact the success of a coaching conversation.

Some people see talents, skills and ability as fixed assets; things they were largely born with and which are mostly fixed in their extent. That is, you either have it or you don’t. This is known as a fixed mindset.

People with a fixed mindset may view themselves as entitled or superior. They tend to see failure as an indicator of lacking ability or talent; as meaning they are no longer clever, creative, talented, etc. Hence they will be less likely to take on challenges and risks. People with a fixed mindset tend to underperform. (Carol Dweck, 2008)

insium's newsletter on leadership: September, 2015

Written by Tuesday, 29 September 2015 00:00
Published in Newsletter
Our third newsletter about the recent World Congress of Positive Psychology focuses on a number of key messages shared by a variety of speakers. With each of these key messages, questions are posed for you to consider. We suggest that you might ponder one key message [with the associated question(s)] at a time, and at a pace that is beneficial for you:

“The average describes, while the best prescribes. Studying the best makes excellence accessible to all of us.” Tal Ben-Shahar

  • How do you make excellence accessible for yourself and for those you lead and interact with?

“Human systems move in the direction of the questions asked.” David Cooperrider
  • What questions are you asking?

insium participates in veski "inspiring women" event

Monday, 21 September 2015 00:00
Published in Blog

On Monday, 14th September 2015 insium participated in the fourth veski “inspiring women” professional development and networking event. insium director and founder Dina Pozzo was joined on the stage of the Spring Street Conference Centre by Natalie Collard (Corporate Affairs Manager, Victoria/Tasmania, Telstra), Dr David Farmer (Postdoctoral Research Officer, Neurophysiology Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health), Michelle Gallaher (Co-Founder/Creative Director, The Social Science), Dr Suzanne Miller (ARC Future Fellow, Senior Scientist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University) and Jack Walden (CEO, the c word). The panel was MC’d by Madeleine McManus (Director Industry Engagement, Monash University).