Flipping Feedback: What Happens When Workplaces Focus on What's Strong?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀?

In yoga philosophy, there’s a concept called mudita—finding joy in the happiness and success of others. In Vipassana meditation, we send out positive energy: 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺. 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦.

At home, my family has a simple ritual—we reflect on the character strengths we’ve seen in each other. Kindness, perseverance, humour, wisdom—we focus on what’s strong, not what’s wrong.

Imagine if we did this at work.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

According to Martin Seligman’s research in positive psychology, we all have 𝟮𝟰 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀. Through group discussions on strengths, we’ve uncovered powerful insights that could transform workplaces:
1️⃣ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 🏆
We all bring unique strengths to the table—leadership, creativity, empathy, curiosity. Recognising this helps us appreciate diversity in contribution, not just background.
2️⃣ 𝗡𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 ⚖️
Wisdom isn’t better than humour. Creativity isn’t superior to perseverance. Yet, corporate success often prioritises a narrow set of traits. What if we valued all strengths equally?
3️⃣ 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 🔄
Workplace feedback tends to focus on weaknesses—"areas for improvement." But research shows we thrive when we amplify what we’re naturally good at.
4️⃣ 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 👀
When we call out strengths in others, we don’t just uplift them—we start embodying those qualities too. Strength-spotting creates a culture of appreciation and growth.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀?
💡 Take the VIA Character Strengths Test to find out! https://lnkd.in/duPgKhhq
💡 Tag a colleague and let them know what strength you appreciate in them today. 🚀

At Kholo, we believe workplaces should be built on strength, trust, and recognition—not just performance metrics.

👇 What’s one strength you value most in your team? Let’s start the conversation.

#Leadership #StrengthBasedCulture #PositivePsychology #FutureOfWork #Kholo #Mudita

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