Coaching For Happiness

Coaching For Happiness:Coaching For Happiness:Understanding The Drivers of Understanding The Drivers of

Well-Being And Success Well-Being And Success Presented by

Jill MacnaughtPsychologist and Executive Coach

Principal ofCCENTRE FORENTRE FOR CCOACHING &OACHING & PPOSITIVEOSITIVE PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY

Director ofThe Executive CoachThe Executive Coach

2nd Health Coaching Symposium Newcastle, NSW 13th October 2006

Outline of SessionOutline of Session Review Key Principles Of Positive Psychology Applied Positive Psychology - Coaching The Notion Of Human Strengths Visions and Goals Important Principles Of Goal Striving and Goal Attainment Psychological Well-Being Values Understanding Happiness Research with Positive Emotions How To Build Positive Emotions – Help People be Happier Building Happier Workplaces Questions

What is Positive What is Positive Psychology?Psychology?

Positive Psychology asks seven types of inter-related questions.

1.Existential questions: What makes life worth living? What does it mean to live a life of

dignity and significance? Why should I strive in the face of

suffering and death? What are the positive givens of

human existence?


2.Structural questions: What are the defining

characteristics or criteria of positive mental health or physical health?

What are the essential components of quality of life?

What are the components of the good life?

What constitutes happiness?


3.Functioning questions: What makes us fully functioning

individuals? What contributes to optimal

functioning? What are the functions of meaning

seeking, meaning making and values clarification in optimal functioning?


Meaning and purposenecessary conditions for

happiness and

positive mental health


4. Process questions: What makes life worth living? What does it mean to live a life of

dignity and significance? Why should I strive in the face of

suffering and death? What are the positive givens of

human existence?


5. Outcome questions: What are the outcomes and

correlates to answers to the above questions?

How do we measure these outcomes in a reliable and valid way?


6. Societal questions: What kind of community and

society will support individual positive psychology?

How can we create such a social ecology?


7. Cultural questions: What are the cultural differences to

the above questions?What are the cultural universals?

Ref: Wong, Paul (1998) The Human Quest for Meaning

The Post Growth SocietyThe Post Growth Society

“Instead of higher incomes, the central objective of a post growth society is to provide opportunities for human fulfilment and self-realisation. Pursuit of wellbeing – which for many will require abandonment of the money obsession and rejection of the pursuit of identity through consumption – would allow the emergence of authentic (rather than manufactured) individuality and the flowering of human potential.”

Clive Hamilton (2003) Growth Fetish p. 240

History of Positive PsychologyHistory of Positive Psychology Rogers (1951) The fully functioning person Jahoda (1958) Mental Health Allport (1961) Mature Individuality Erikson (1963) Stages of Development Maslow (1954-1971) Self Actualisation Vaillant (1977) Positive Defenses &

Exceptional Performance Deci & Ryan (1985) Self Determination Theory Csikszentmihalyi (1990) Flow – Optimal Experience Ryff & Singer (1996) Psychological Well-Being Seligman (1991-2006) Learned Helplessness, Optimism

Four Major Imperatives of Four Major Imperatives of Positive PsychologyPositive Psychology

Rise to life’s challenges, make the most of setbacks and adversities

Engage and relate to other people

Find fulfillment in creativity and productivity

Look beyond oneself and help others to find lasting meaning, satisfaction, and wisdom in life (Keyes & Haidt, 2004)

Purpose of Positive Purpose of Positive PsychologyPsychology

Positive Psychology aims to understand the human strengths that enable individuals and human communities to thrive

How do we cultivate what is best within ourselves and enhance our experiences of life and work?

Applied Positive PsychologyApplied Positive Psychology

Applied positive psychology, which includes coaching, is the application of positive psychology research to the facilitation of optimal functioning

(Linley & Joseph, 2004).

What is Coaching?What is Coaching?

One unifying definition:

“Coaching is a collaborative process of facilitating a client’s ability to self-direct learning and growth, as evidenced by sustained changes in self-understanding, self-concept and behaviour.”

Stober, D. & Parry, C. (2003)

Coaching PsychologyCoaching Psychology

“Coaching Psychology is for enhancing well-being and performance in personal life and work domains underpinned by models of coaching grounded in established adult learning or psychological approaches.”

(BPS Coaching Psychology Interest Group, 2005)

In Essence…..In Essence…..

Coaching moves the client from awareness to

responsibility to action and to results!

Awareness Responsibility Action Results

Levels of CoachingLevels of CoachingFour Levels Of Coaching:

Level 1: Primary Skills: method used is that of instruction

Level 2: Secondary Skills: method used in facilitation

Level 3: Developmental: method used is insight and awareness

Level 4: Transformational: method used is critical reflection(Carroll, M. 2004)

Positive Psychology & CoachingPositive Psychology & Coaching

Focus is on:StrengthsVisions and GoalsValuesGrowth and Wellbeing

Positive PsychologyPositive PsychologyA Study of Human StrengthsA Study of Human Strengths

The notion of good character has been revived

Defined as six virtues all of which have a set of underlying strengthsstrengths

Virtues identified are common to all philosophical and religious traditions

The Six VirtuesThe Six Virtues

Wisdom and KnowledgeCourageLove and HumanityJusticeTemperanceSpirituality and Transcendence

What is a Strength?What is a Strength?

A natural capacity for behaving,

thinking or feeling in a way that

allows for optimal functioning

and performance in the pursuit

of valued outcomes

(Linley & Harrison, 2006)

Strengths Based PsychologyStrengths Based Psychology

“I do not believe that you should devote overly much effort to correcting your weakness. Rather, I believe that the highest success in living and the deepest emotional satisfaction comes from building and using your signature strengths.”

Martin Seligman

Building Strength and VirtueBuilding Strength and Virtue

What are your signature strengths?

VIA survey - Identify your Signature Strengths

Go to: www.authentichappiness.org

The 24 Strengths Sit Under The 24 Strengths Sit Under Virtue ClustersVirtue Clusters

Wisdom and Knowledge Curiosity/Interest in the World Love of Learning Judgment/Critical Thinking/Open-Mindedness Ingenuity/Originality/Practical

Intelligence/Street Smarts Social Intelligence/Personal

Intelligence/Emotional Intelligence Perspective

Research on StrengthsResearch on Strengths

Key strengths associated with well-being:HopeLoveZestGratitudeCuriosity(Peterson, Park & Seligman, 2004)

Research on StrengthsResearch on StrengthsKey strengths associated with goal success:

PatiencePatience – “the ability to dwell gladly in the present moment” (Roberts, 1984)

PrudencePrudence – “the use of reason to correctly discern that which helps and that which hinders realising the good” (Jeffries, 1998)

Perseverance Perseverance – “the ability to keep commitments, to be steadfast, to endure despite obstacles, to make sacrifices, and to resist temptations to give up” (Brickman, 1987)

(Keyes & Haidt, 2003)

Visions to GoalsVisions to Goals

FUZZYVISION SMART Goals

A Vision of the FutureA Vision of the Future

Benefits of developing a “fuzzy vision” are: Utilises the “attentional bias” i.e. primes

us to identify opportunities to ensure goal attainment.

Allows brain to disengage from worry and anxiety about the future – allows mindfulness.

Exercise on VisioningExercise on Visioning

Work in pairs

One of the pair is to share a concern

Other is to explore the concern – listen, question for understanding

Create a shift in the conversation - Question

Develop a picture of the desired scenario

CURRENT REALITY DESIRED REALITY

Setting SMART goalsSetting SMART goals

Twenty years of research in psychology on goal setting has identified that our chances of success are enhanced when our goals are SMART (Locke, 1996)

Specific and StretchingMeasureable, MonitorableAttractive & AuthenticRealisticTime-framed

Personal Goals - Positive LivingPersonal Goals - Positive Living

Personal goals represent the proactive efforts of individuals to satisfy their needs and to shape their lives in positive new directions

By helping people better identify and pursue personal goals, we support them in the ultimate pursuit of happiness.

Refs: Locke,.E.A. (1996); Locke, E. A. & Latham, G. P. (2002)

Self Concordant GoalsSelf Concordant Goals

The more clients short-term personal

projects reflected their underlying

values and interests, and were relevant

to possible futures, the more they were

likely to attain their goals and

experience success.(Sheldon, K. et al. 2002)

Self Concordant GoalsSelf Concordant Goals

A person’s goals may not represent that person’s authentic interests and values

Goals are self-concordant when they are pursued because of either intrinsic or identified motivation

SELF-INTEGRATED VS NONINTEGRATED ACTION

Developing Interests

SELF-INTEGRATED ACTION

Core Values

Internal Sanctions

NONINTEGRATED ACTIONEnvironmentalPressures

EXTERNAL

INTROJECTED

INTRINSIC

IDENTIFIED

Ref: Sheldon, K.M. & Elliott, A. J.(1999)

The Self-Concordance ModelThe Self-Concordance ModelThis model begins when people select and commit to a set of goals. May involve poor goal selection.

Goal Self-Concordance

SustainedEffort

GoalAttainment

Need Satisfying

Experiences

Changes inWell-Being

Goal Self-Concordance X Goal Attainment

Goal striving is affected by degree to which goals are self-concordant.

Ref: Sheldon, K. M. & Elliott, A. J. (1999)

Goal Striving, Need Satisfaction Goal Striving, Need Satisfaction and Longitudinal Well-Beingand Longitudinal Well-Being

Greater goal striving toward intrinsic vs extrinsic goals (self-concordant goals)

Attainment of self-concordant goals leads to greater well being

Goal attainment associated with stronger feelings of autonomy, competence and relatedness (need satisfaction) – this leading to greater well-being

Success breeds more success

Refs: Sheldon, K and Elliot, A. (1999); Sheldon K & Houser-Marko, L. (2001)

Outcomes – Well-BeingOutcomes – Well-Being

Structure of Psychological Wellbeing

(Positive Functioning Optimal Performance)

Autonomy Environmental Mastery Personal Growth Positive Relationships with Others Purpose in Life Self-Acceptance

(Ryff, C.D. & Keyes, C.L.M., 1995)

Values & VisionValues & Vision

It is important that the client’s core values are being lived in that future.

The importance of crystallisation & prioritisation of values

Identify your own core life values

Develop a fuzzy vision

Setting self-concordant goals (SDT)

ValuesValues

Values are who we areValues Identification (Life & Work)A Peak Moment in Time – What were

the values being honoured?Suppressed ValuesValues Matrix

Exercise – Personal StrivingsExercise – Personal StrivingsTask: Generate one (1) of your personal

strivings and respond to a series of items in relation to each.

Think of your personal strivings as objectives (goals) that you are typically or characteristically trying to attain in your daily life.

Ref: Sheldon, K. M. & Elliot, A. J. (1999)

Paradox of the Growth SocietyParadox of the Growth Society

In the past 50 years the standard of living has increased dramatically

There has been no similar increase in happiness

What Do We Mean By Happiness?What Do We Mean By Happiness?

Is it the pleasurable life or is it the ‘good’ life?

Is it momentary or enduring?

Are some destined to be happier than others?

Is it determined by good luck and/or circumstance?

The Three Happy LivesThe Three Happy Lives

The Pleasant Life

The Engaged Life

The Meaningful Life

Seligman, 2002

The Pleasant LifeThe Pleasant LifeA life that successfully pursues the positive emotions about the past, present and future.

Past – satisfaction, contentment, pride

Future – optimism, hope, confidence

Present – bodily pleasures (warmth, touch) higher pleasures (elation, relaxation)

The Engaged LifeThe Engaged Life

Using your signature strengths in all aspects of your life – work, love, parenting, friendships etc

It’s about finding purpose and meaning

The Meaningful LifeThe Meaningful Life

Using your signature strengths in the service of something larger than you

The notion of legacy…our contribution to a better future

What Determines Happiness?What Determines Happiness?

Circumstance

Set Point

Intentional Activity?

Psychological Well-Being Psychological Well-Being (Happiness) & Work Performance(Happiness) & Work PerformanceHigh psychological well-being

associated with:- superior decision making- effective interpersonal behaviours

- higher objective performance ratings

Higher PWB also shown to directly lead to an increase in productivity

Broaden and Build ModelBroaden and Build Model

Positive emotions expand the thought-action repertoire

Interest fosters the desire to explore, assimilate new experiences

Joy creates the urge to play, think outside the box, be creative

These outcomes bring meaning to the work of employees – not just a job!

Benefits of Positive EmotionsBenefits of Positive Emotions

Smiling & HappinessLonger life expectancyLess self-focused, more empathic, kind

and generousBetter relations, strong friendshipsBetter healthGreater personal well-being


Optimism (Problems = transient, specific, controllable)

Longer life expectancy (19%)Better health, more energyHigher persistence, productivity and

incomeGreater personal well-being


Physical BenefitsIncrease immune functionImproved resilience to adversityReduced inflammatory response to

stressIncreased resistance to virusesLower cortisol


Psychological BenefitsIncrease intuition and creativityCognitive flexibility, speed and accuracy

to stressIntegrate more sources of informationWiden our attention Take a long term perspective

Human Consequences of Human Consequences of Happiness - SummaryHappiness - Summary

Increased capacity to thrive, mentally flourish and psychologically grow

Outcomes:- more proactive

- resilient to adverse situations - less prone to stress symptoms - better physical health Moderates job satisfaction and job performance

Techiques Which Make People Techiques Which Make People Lastingly Happy & Less DepressedLastingly Happy & Less Depressed Using signature strengths in a new way Savouring a beautiful day (present) Gratitude visit (past) Count your blessings (3 good things in life) Letting go of grudges One door closes, another door opens (future)

crisis = opportunity You at your best (Best Possible Self

Exercise) Cognitive restructuring for resilience –

realistic or positive attribution for adversity

How To Build A Happier How To Build A Happier WorkforceWorkforce

Composition – selecting and placing people into appropriate

positions (Are they playing from their strengths?)

Training – to assist people to ‘fit’ jobs more closely – teach self-monitoring to enhance positive mood

and emotion (e.g. learned optimism) Situational Structuring – change work environment to more closely

fit the needs of employees (e.g. social support) A culture that supports ethics and character building

Well Being in the WorkplaceWell Being in the WorkplaceA SummaryA Summary

Work is a pervasive & influential part of the individual & the community’s well-being.

The well-being of employees & their satisfaction with their work & workplace affect citizenship at work, turnover rates & performance ratings.

How does this fit your vision?How does this fit your vision?

Happy/Productive Workers

Serene/Thoughtful Workers

Caring/Helpful Workers

Joyous/Honest Workers

Exhilirated/Creative Workers

Questions?Questions?

Thank YouThank You

email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Coaching For Happiness

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Coaching For Happiness