Be kind to yourself

Be kind to yourself

by | Jun 27, 2023 | PERMAH, Wellbeing

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Be kind to yourself

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We have been through tough times in recent years and science tells us that our resilience is very much linked to our ability to maintain a positive mindset so that, as the crew at the Michelle McQuaid Group put it, we can still “live well with struggle”. One very important part of that is to be kind to ourselves and so we thought that we might share a few thoughts on the practice of self-compassion.

Self-compassion is the practice of treating yourself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, particularly in times of difficulty, failure, or suffering.

It involves extending the same compassion and care towards oneself that you would offer to a close friend or loved one who is going through a challenging experience. Self-compassion is an important aspect of overall well-being and has several benefits for individuals. Here’s why practicing self-compassion is good for you:

  1. Emotional well-being: Self-compassion helps you develop a healthier and more positive relationship with yourself. It fosters self-acceptance and reduces self-criticism, which can lead to decreased anxiety, depression, and stress levels. By offering yourself support and understanding, you can build emotional resilience and improve your overall psychological well-being.
  2. Increased self-esteem: Self-compassion allows you to recognize and appreciate your own worth and value as a person, irrespective of external achievements or comparisons with others. It helps you develop a sense of self-worth that is not contingent on perfection or meeting unrealistic standards. As a result, your self-esteem and self-confidence can increase.
  3. Motivation and growth: Contrary to popular belief, self-compassion doesn’t promote complacency or laziness. It provides a nurturing environment for personal growth and learning. When you treat yourself with kindness, you create a safe space to acknowledge and learn from mistakes, without the fear of harsh self-judgment. This self-acceptance and encouragement can foster a growth mindset, leading to increased motivation and resilience in pursuing your goals.
  4. Improved relationships: Practicing self-compassion can positively impact your relationships with others. When you cultivate self-compassion, you become more understanding and empathetic towards yourself, which extends to how you interact with others. By embracing your own imperfections and treating yourself kindly, you’re more likely to show empathy and compassion towards others, resulting in healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
  5. Physical health benefits: Self-compassion has been associated with several physical health benefits. Studies have shown that individuals who practice self-compassion have lower levels of inflammation and healthier immune system functioning. They may also engage in healthier behaviors, such as taking care of their bodies, seeking medical help when needed, and making choices that promote overall well-being.

In summary, practicing self-compassion is good for you because it nurtures emotional well-being, boosts self-esteem, promotes motivation and growth, enhances relationships, and has potential physical health benefits. It involves treating yourself with the same kindness, understanding, and acceptance that you would extend to others, ultimately leading to a more compassionate and fulfilling life.

 

If you are interested in learning more about how you can improve the quality of wellbeing in your workplace through the practice of self-compassion, give us a call on 0438 533 311.  

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

0438 533 311

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Ridgeline HR

Engage for Success

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About Engage for Success, our choice for employee engagement

About Engage for Success, our choice for employee engagement

by | Jun 26, 2023 | Coaching, Employee Engagement, Employee Voice, Integrity, Leadership, Purpose, Strategic Narrative, Strengths, Values, Wellbeing

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About Engage for Success, our choice for employee engagement

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We chose the Engage for Success framework because it is the simplest, most easily understood, practical and flexible model that owe know and it is backed by extensive and qualified research commissioned by the UK Government. For small businesses in particular, the four pillars of employee engagement provide a really sound foundation for developing a high performing business where people feel valued and want to contribute. Here is a bit of background information on the movement.

The Engage for Success movement is a UK-based initiative that aims to promote employee engagement as a means to improve organizational performance, productivity, and well-being. It was launched in 2012 as a response to a growing recognition of the importance of employee engagement in the workplace.

The movement was formed as a result of a government-sponsored report called “Engaging for Success: Enhancing Performance through Employee Engagement,” also known as the MacLeod Report. This report, led by David MacLeod and Nita Clarke, highlighted the potential benefits of employee engagement for both employees and organizations. It emphasized the role of leadership, management practices, and employee involvement in creating an engaged workforce.

Engage for Success operates as a not-for-profit movement, bringing together a diverse group of individuals and organizations from the public and private sectors, including business leaders, HR professionals, academics, and employee engagement experts. The movement aims to share knowledge, research, and best practices related to employee engagement and to provide a platform for collaboration and dialogue.

The core belief of the Engage for Success movement is that when employees are engaged, they are more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to their work. Engaged employees tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction, better physical and mental well-being, and are more likely to contribute innovative ideas and discretionary effort to their organizations. This, in turn, can lead to improved business performance, customer satisfaction, and overall organizational success.

Engage for Success focuses on four key enablers of employee engagement:

  1. Strategic narrative: Developing a compelling vision, purpose, and values that inspire employees and give them a sense of direction.
  2. Engaging leadership: Creating a culture of leadership that empowers and supports employees, provides clear direction, and enables effective communication.
  3. Employee voice: Encouraging two-way communication, involving employees in decision-making processes, and valuing their opinions and ideas.
  4. Organizational integrity: Ensuring consistency between the organization’s values, behavior, and practices, which helps build trust and fosters a positive work environment.

The movement offers a variety of resources, research findings, case studies, and tools to help organizations and individuals enhance employee engagement. These resources include events, webinars, workshops, and online communities that facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among members.

The Engage for Success movement has gained recognition and support from various stakeholders, including business leaders, policymakers, and academics. It has played a significant role in promoting the importance of employee engagement as a key driver of organizational success and advocating for its adoption in workplaces across the UK and beyond.

 

Want to know more about how you can use the Engage for Success model to build a better workplace? Call us on 0438 533 311 or email info@poswork.com.au.

 

 

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

0438 533 311

QUICK RESOURCE LINKS

Ridgeline HR

Engage for Success

Appreciative Inquiry

PERMAH

ShareTree

VIA Character Strengths

Communities of Wellbeing

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Why coaching through strengths is a better way

Why coaching through strengths is a better way

by | Jun 26, 2023 | Coaching, Leadership, Strengths, Wellbeing

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Why coaching through strengths is a better way

Coaching and strengths-based approaches are indeed powerful tools for managing and developing people. When combined, they create a synergistic effect that can enhance individual performance, engagement, and overall organizational success. Here’s how coaching and strengths work together to be effective:

  1. Coaching: Coaching is a collaborative process that focuses on unlocking an individual’s potential, maximizing their performance, and facilitating their personal and professional growth. It involves providing support, guidance, and feedback to help individuals overcome challenges, develop new skills, and achieve their goals. Effective coaching establishes a trusting relationship between the coach and the coachee, allowing for open communication and exploration of different perspectives.
  2. Strengths-based approach: A strengths-based approach emphasizes identifying and leveraging an individual’s inherent strengths, talents, and abilities. Instead of solely focusing on weaknesses or areas that need improvement, this approach seeks to identify and develop the unique capabilities that individuals possess. By recognizing and utilizing strengths, individuals can perform at their best, experience higher levels of motivation and engagement, and achieve greater success.

When combined, coaching and strengths-based approaches offer several benefits for managing and developing people:

  1. Empowerment: Coaching and strengths-based approaches empower individuals by helping them recognize and capitalize on their strengths. This recognition boosts confidence, self-esteem, and motivation, enabling individuals to take ownership of their development and actively contribute to their success.
  2. Performance improvement: Coaching facilitates targeted and personalized support to address performance gaps and challenges. By focusing on an individual’s strengths, coaches can identify strategies to leverage those strengths to overcome obstacles and enhance performance. This approach creates a positive environment for growth, resulting in improved performance outcomes.
  3. Engagement and satisfaction: By recognizing and utilizing strengths, individuals experience higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction. They feel valued for their unique contributions, and their work aligns more closely with their natural talents and passions. This alignment leads to increased motivation, productivity, and overall satisfaction in the workplace.
  4. Personal and professional growth: Coaching and strengths-based approaches foster continuous learning and development. Coaches can help individuals set meaningful goals, identify areas for growth, and provide guidance and resources for skill enhancement. Leveraging strengths as building blocks for development encourages individuals to expand their capabilities and reach their full potential.
  5. Positive organizational culture: By promoting coaching and strengths-based approaches, organizations can cultivate a positive and supportive culture. This culture encourages open communication, trust, and collaboration, as individuals are appreciated for their unique talents and contributions. It also fosters a growth mindset, where learning and development are valued and embraced at all levels of the organization.

Overall, combining coaching and strengths-based approaches provides a comprehensive framework for managing and developing people. It empowers individuals, enhances performance, fosters engagement, and cultivates a positive organizational culture. By investing in coaching and leveraging strengths, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce and drive long-term success.

Strengths practice is an integral element of our EngageMentality coaching framework – one of the five lenses through which users can develop and implement their own wellbeing and development plans. If you are interested in exploring more about how strengths and coaching practice can be of value, give us a call on 0438 533 311 for your free first consultation.

 

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

0438 533 311

QUICK RESOURCE LINKS

Ridgeline HR

Engage for Success

Appreciative Inquiry

PERMAH

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VIA Character Strengths

Communities of Wellbeing

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Building meaningfulness in your workplace

Building meaningfulness in your workplace

by | May 23, 2023 | Coaching, Leadership, PERMAH, Purpose, Strengths, Wellbeing

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Building meaningfulness in your workplace

From 2018 to 2022. the Wellbeing Lab partnered with the Australian Human Resources Institute to conduct a series of national workplace wellbeing surveys. There were three key findings from the aggregated data:

  1. That there had been a significant drop in resilience among Australian workers
  2. That there had been a significant decrease in people finding meaning in work and
  3. That, if you invested in an Employee Assistance Program. it was marginally better than doing nothing.

In this blog, we want to explore the second of those and the questions of why meaning is important and how you can boost meaningfulness through the lens of character strengths.

Why is meaning important?

Meaning is the fourth pillar of Professor Martin Seligman’s PERMA model of the essential elements of wellbeing – what we all need to lead a flourishing life. It is about feeling that you have a purpose and that you are part of and contributing to something bigger than yourself. There is plenty of research that shows that having meaning in your life is good for health and happiness and resilience.

Examples of meaningfulness in practice

There are a variety of ways and settings in which we can get meaning in our lives such as:

  • Our families – the meaning of providing for them, looking after them, watching our children grow, shared interests with members of the family
  • Our work – the impact that I have in the application of our skills and strengths to make a contribution for my employer and my workmates and our customers or clients
  • Our community – whether I serve a community cause or I am a member of a sporting tribe or I have  some other group connection that gives me a sense of belonging.

Meaningfulness and character strengths

Six of the VIA Character Strengths especially align with good mindfulness practice, namely appreciation of beauty and excellence, curiosity, social intelligence, perspective, gratitude and spirituality. Below is the VIA Character Institute’s “Meaningfulness Wheel” which sets out lots of things that any of us can do to enhance our meaningfulness practices every day. We think that this is a great tool for reflection and inspiration on ways to build our own good wellbeing practices.

Strengths practice is an integral element of our EngageMentality coaching framework – one of the five lenses through which users can develop and implement their own wellbeing and development plans. If you are interested in exploring more about how strengths and mindfulness practice can be of value, give us a call on 0438 533 311 for our free first consultation.

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

0438 533 311

QUICK RESOURCE LINKS

Ridgeline HR

Engage for Success

Appreciative Inquiry

PERMAH

ShareTree

VIA Character Strengths

Communities of Wellbeing

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About VIA Character Strengths

About VIA Character Strengths

by | Sep 4, 2022 | Strengths

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About VIA Character Strengths

The VIA Character Strengths framework began as the Values in Action Inventory developed by two eminent researchers in the field of positive psychology, Professors Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman.

This framework, which we utilise in our consulting work and in our everyday lives, is now used by millions of people to foster self awareness and enhance personal wellbeing through strengths awareness.

What does it look like?

There are 6 virtues, which are underpinned by 24 character strengths:

  1. Wisdom: strengths that help you gather and use knowledge. These strengths are creativity, curiosity, judgment, love of learning and perspective.
  2. Courage: strengths that help you exercise your will and face adversity. These strengths include bravery, honesty, perseverance and zest.
  3. Humanity: strengths that manifest in caring relationships with others. They are interpersonal in nature and include kindness, love and social intelligence.
  4. Justice: strengths that help you connect in community or group-based situations. They include fairness, leadership and teamwork.
  5. Temperance: strengths that help you manage habits and protect against excess. They include forgiveness, humility, prudence and self-regulation.
  6. Transcendence: strengths that help you to connect to the larger universe and provide meaning. 

What does the assessment tell you?

 Your survey responses generate a report that tells you what the order of your strengths areranked in order from 1 (your strongest) to 24 (your weakest).

In my case, the top 5 (signature) strengths are:

  1. Creativity: someone who generates ideas or behaviours that are novel or unusual and these make a positive contribution to the life of the individual or the lives of others.
  2. Humour: someone who has the ability to make others smile and who can see the light side in adverse situations which can help to sustain a good mood and cope with challenges.
  3. Leadership: someone who provides a positive vision or message that inspires people and who is effective in goal setting, achievement, enlisting help, building coalitions and resolving differences. 
  4. Perspective: someone who sees the bigger picture in life and looks at whole systems and weighs up multiple sides before making a decision.
  5. Appreciation of beauty and excellence: someone who notices and appreciates the good things in life which fall in three categories – physical beauty, skill or talent and virtue or moral goodness.

What does that mean for me?

Undertaking the VIA Character Strengths survey was a lightbulb moment for me in that the results that I got from it really put some science and structure around what I intuitively knew – what my character DNA is as demonstrated in the work that I do and the approach that I take in doing it. 

For me, the VIA Character Strengths Survey delivered:

1. A framework that I can use to optimise my use of my signature strengths (kept in balance) which is great for my wellbeing and support my lesser strengths when I need to use them. 
2. A filter through which I can explore work opportunities to determine if they are a good fit for me and my strengths.
3. A greater level of confidence in expressing the inner me in line with my character strengths profile.
4. Validation that my signature strengths provide me with a great toolkit for the work that I do in people and culture and leadership consulting.

Conclusion

You can undertake the VIA Character Strengths Survey for free at https://www.viacharacter.org. That will provide you with a simple list of your character strengths from #1 – #24.

 You can also invest in a Total 24 report for around 70AUD which provides you with a lot more detail on your character strengths profile plus a range of strengths exercises, tips on using, overusing and underusing your strengths.It is worth getting this. I found it was a good return on investment.

Also see our posts on Gallup Clifton Strengths and Sharetree.

If you would like to know more about implementing a strengths-based approach in your business, contact us on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au

CONTACT US

PosWork

A Division of Ridgeline Human Resources Pty Ltd
ABN : 24 091 644 094

info@poswork.com.au

0438 533 311

QUICK RESOURCE LINKS

Ridgeline HR

Engage for Success

Appreciative Inquiry

PERMAH

ShareTree

VIA Character Strengths

Communities of Wellbeing

LET'S HAVE A CHAT