Bonus Edition: Tools to Thrive from Positive Psychology Practitioners - Master Your Response to Good News

Welcome to this bonus edition of Everyday Better. In 'Tools to Thrive' we share quick conversations with positive psychology practitioners giving their top research-backed tools for your personal development. You can put them to the test immediately.

Positive psychology is the science of well-being. It takes a strengths-based approach to looking at what contributes to human flourishing. While traditional psychology is dedicated to serving a clinical population, positive psychology supports everyone who wants to enjoy a greater sense of life satisfaction.

Today, I talked with author and positive psychology practitioner Stella Grizont about the secret weapon she shares with leaders to improve their relationships and build trust.

You've likely been on both the giving and receiving end of her tool. When done well, it can strengthen any relationship but when ignored, it can cause erosion.

What is your tool and why did you choose it?

When someone comes to you with good news, how do you respond? The likely answer is, it depends. Moods, stress levels and context can all thwart our best intentions to be supportive. Active constructive response (ACR) is an evidence-based technique for responding to good news. ACR ensures the person with good news can both savor and expand on it.

The chart below is a simple guide to ACR, with the ideal response in the top left corner. Alternatively, there are three negative ways people unintentionally (or intentionally but not maliciously) respond to good news.

Look at times when you or someone else responds passively or destructively as a learning experience:

How and why should we use them?

The use of ACR has been linked with stronger relationships, increased trust, and higher levels of commitment. Without ACR, confidence in the relationship can begin to wither, and good news may be withheld because of the expected response.

Can you tell me about a time you've seen this work for someone?

One of my clients, who was a leader in engineering, received feedback that his team felt he wasn't a safe person to approach with good news, ideas, or advice. He would constantly poke holes and focus on what was wrong.

He decided to try using ACR with a team member and immediately noticed a shift in their energy. He described it as 'seeing a spark in them.' With this technique, he realized he could change himself through his behavior while improving his working relationships.

Short read: Active constructive response further described by Catherine Moore.

Learn more: School of Life shares why we might respond badly to good news.

Long read: Stella Grizont 's book, "The Work Happiness Method: Master the 8 Skills to Career Fulfillment "

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Everyday Better is LinkedIn News’ weekly personal development podcast hosted by Leah Smart, a LinkedIn News Editor . You’ll hear from some of the world's brightest minds and bravest hearts about how to live with more clarity and intention every day, in and out of work. Subscribe to the show's newsletter .