Leveling Up Team Development with Positive Intelligence

I've been immersed in Dragon's Dogma 2 lately. It is... not an easy game. I'm fighting minotaur, trekking across an expansive map, and solving the Sphinx's riddles. My team and I have experienced major setbacks - failing quests, getting decimated by bosses, and losing important non-player characters. As per usual, I'm looking at this as a metaphor for team development in the workplace, especially when it is infused with the principles of Positive Intelligence (PQ). Just like I need to level up my character to overcome the increasingly difficult challenges of Dragon's Dogma 2, teams can enhance their collective performance and resilience by putting experience points into PQ strategies.

Gearing up: What is Positive Intelligence?

Positive Intelligence is a concept introduced by New York Times best-selling author Shirzad Chamine , encapsulating a scientifically proven regimen for developing mental fitness to overcome negative thoughts and emotions. At its core, PQ enables shifting from a negative to a positive mindset so individuals can respond to challenges with clarity, empathy, and resilience.

Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Power-Ups for Problem-Solving

When I enter a boss battle in a game, I don't expect to beat it the first time I try. Instead I adopt a growth mindset and see it as an opportunity to learn and increase my skills. Similarly, training your team to view hurdles as chances to grow transforms problems into power-ups, boosting problem-solving skills and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. This can start with simple conversations about how you, as a leader, have had to pivot in the past. You can continue by structuring conversations about challenges as lessons learned.

Empathy and Understanding: Co-op Mode for Collaboration

In multiplayer games, understanding and working with your team is key to overcoming challenges (it's different in Dragon's Dogma 2 but we'll save that AI-companion discussion for a different post). Just as gamers must empathize with one another and have a deep understanding of each others' strengths and weaknesses to strategize and win, promoting empathy in the workplace leads to better collaboration, creativity, and a supportive environment where every team member feels like a valued player.

Resilience Training: Respawning with More Knowledge

In video games, "respawning" after defeat allows players to try again. As I mentioned in the growth mindset section above, you gain insights gained from your previous attempt. Integrating resilience training in team development is akin to mastering the art of respawning with minimal downtime, enabling the team to maintain momentum and positivity, even after setbacks. Resilience training can be as simple as conducting a pre-mortem on potential challenges or as in-depth as a 6-week boot camp in PQ!

Achievement Unlocked: Celebrate Wins and Learn from Losses

Celebrating victories, no matter how small, and viewing losses as learning opportunities is like unlocking achievements in games. I honestly love it when I get a trophy in a game for mucking something up. It encourages failure as a learning opportunity and not as a state that deserves punishment! This not only boosts morale but reinforces a positive feedback loop, motivating the team to aim for higher scores and better performance.

Recharging Health and Mana: Mindfulness Practices

Gamers, like everybody else, need to occasionally pause and recharge (their character's health and mana, their controller, their blood sugar) for optimum performance. Similarly, introducing mindfulness practices in the team helps boost mental energy, reduce stress, and enhance focus, leading to improved productivity and creativity. I know for myself, doing a short set of "PQ Reps" before meetings help me be more grounded and ready.

Winning the Game: The Impact of PQ on Team Development

Teams that adopt Positive Intelligence strategies become like well-coordinated gaming squads who can navigate through the toughest levels, adapt strategies on the fly, and achieve their objectives with efficiency and creativity. This approach transforms the workplace into an engaging arena where challenges are met with enthusiasm, setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth, and successes are celebrated collectively. Don't believe me? Check out this slew of resources and white papers that show how PQ has a positive impact!

Ready Player One?

Don't let untapped potential go to waste. Contact me today to discover how Positive Intelligence can redefine the way your team operates, fosters collaboration, and achieves excellence. Together, let's level up your leadership approach and unlock a new tier of team performance.

Take the first step towards a resilient, high-achieving team. Reach out now and let Positive Intelligence guide your journey to success.