Flourishing Through Mentorship

Applying the PERMA Model to Enhance Well-Being

The PERMA model, developed by psychologist Martin Seligman, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and cultivating well-being. This model comprises five key elements:

1. Positive Emotions: Experiencing feelings like joy, gratitude, and contentment.
2. Engagement: Being fully absorbed and present during activities.
3. Relationships: Developing meaningful, supportive social connections.
4. Meaning: Finding a sense of purpose and recognizing the value in one’s life.
5. Accomplishment: Making progress towards goals and achieving mastery.

Seligman posits that nurturing these five elements enhances well-being, life satisfaction, and flourishing. In this context, ‘flourishing’ refers to a state of optimal human functioning, where individuals experience positive emotions, are deeply engaged in life, maintain meaningful relationships, find a sense of purpose, and achieve their goals. The PERMA model thus offers a holistic approach to understanding human flourishing, extending beyond mere happiness.

Mentoring exemplifies the application of the PERMA model, providing a unique opportunity to experience all five elements and flourish. Engaging in a mentoring relationship, whether as a mentor or mentee, can significantly enhance well-being.

As a mentor, you contribute to another person’s well-being while fostering a deep, meaningful relationship, epitomizing the ‘R’ in PERMA. Good relationships are fundamental to our well-being, and the mentor-mentee bond can be particularly impactful. Engagement, another critical component of well-being, involves being absorbed in activities that challenge and utilize our strengths. Mentoring allows you to engage deeply in teaching, guiding, and supporting another person, often leading to ‘flow’ experiences where time seems to stand still due to your deep involvement.

Mentoring also embodies the element of Meaning, as it involves belonging to and serving something larger than oneself. By investing in someone else’s growth, you contribute to a purpose greater than your own success, fostering a strong sense of purpose and contribution, which are key aspects of well-being. Furthermore, Accomplishment is integral to the mentoring experience. As a mentor, you help your mentee set and achieve goals, which not only boosts their sense of accomplishment but also provides you with a profound sense of pride and fulfilment. Witnessing your mentee’s growth and success enhances your own feelings of achievement.

Our mentoring projects have shown that leveraging one’s signature strengths can amplify the benefits of mentoring. When mentors use their character strengths, they model positive behaviour for their mentees and experience greater satisfaction and well-being themselves.

In conclusion, mentoring is a powerful avenue for enhancing well-being for both the mentor and the mentee. It embodies the principles of positive psychology, contributing to a life of fulfilment and flourishing.

Through mentoring, we can foster a world where more individuals thrive, embodying the essence of the PERMA model.

Ready to explore how mentoring can transform your organization and help your team flourish? Get in touch with us today to learn more about our mentoring programs and how they can unlock the full potential of your people. Let’s work together to create a thriving, engaged, and high-performing workplace!