Swot Analysis Of Positive Psychology

Promoting positive psychology, positive leadership, and master resilience training, SGMs can create healthy work environments, positive culture in organizations, and foster camaraderie that will enhance organizational readiness. Positive Psychology as define by the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, “Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Personal Character Strengths are “The Backbone of Positive Psychology”. Finally, SGMs through empowering Master Resilience Trainers and Resilience Training Assistants can spread positive psychology by training, practicing, and refining personnel psychological strengths.

Promoting

Positive Psychology as a Sergeant Major
Sergeants Major are the stewards of the Army Profession.

As stewards of the Army Profession, they are the epitome of what Soldiers aim to be. Through professional and personal experiences, Sergeants Major (SGM) acquires necessary skills and tools to effectively deal with adversity. It is for this reason that in the midst of challenges, chaos, and difficult situations Sergeants Major are the beacon of light, the common sense in the equation, the “Go To” person for guidance and hope, or the solution for all issues. Applying positive psychology, Sergeants Major are able to provide sound judgment and advice to commanders, staffs, and subordinates. Additionally, the application of positive psychology fosters camaraderie, builds a healthy work environment, and creates a positive culture within the organization. The purpose of this paper is to describe the concepts of positive psychology, positive leadership, and master resilience training (MRT) and how Sergeants Major promote these factors to enhance organizational

readiness.
Positive Psychology
As define by the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, “Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.” Positive psychology focuses on helping people prosper, leading healthy and happy lives. Positive psychology develops ways to help and assist individuals, organizations, and communities grow and thrive. Via studying people’s character strength and promoting positive human functioning, we understand what works well and are able to capitalize on these strengths. As Sergeants Major, we can recognize and identify with the conditions that promote loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, and well-being. This understanding puts SGMs in better positions to comprehend and explain the commander’s intent and achieve the end state. In addition, it is even more important, in organizational settings, to understand success that relates to the motivation of others in the proper direction of the end state.
Personal Character Strengths
Character Strengths are “The Backbone of Positive Psychology”. According to the Via Institute on Character, “Character strengths are the psychological ingredients for displaying human goodness and they serve as pathways for developing a life of greater virtue.” Character strengths are the psychological positive makeup within a person, what is best in them. There are 24 VIA characters strengths, which are broken down in six virtues categories (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence). By knowing and understanding Soldiers character strengths, SGMs will be able to focus on what individual Soldier strengths are and capitalize on them.
Positive Human Functioning
Functional Audit states, “Human functioning relates to the behavioral patterns of any individual in the different roles and systems that the individual forms part of within his/her environment”. Optimal human functioning assumes these patterns positive, not negative. SGMs are responsible for the standard of performance, training, appearance, and conduct of Soldiers. This is why there is no better example or teacher of positive human functioning within the organization. SGMs are settled and unequally accurate, always calm with energy and enthusiasm even in the worst of situations. Soldiers will emulate this attributes and enhance a positive working environment in the organization.
Positive Leadership
Positive Leadership brings people together around a common goal and empowers them to execute in such a way that generates positive outcomes.

Those who embrace positive leadership are authentic and passionate individuals whose work ethics are align with greater good of the organization. There are five practices for effective positive leadership (commit to a higher purpose, build trust, be driven by strengths and values, focus on the humans-not just the job, personify a growth mindset). Positive leadership begins with senior leaders of the organization by applying the five practices and encouraging subordinates to do the same. SGMs are the key ambassadors for positive leadership, as they have enhanced and mastered the five practices of positive leadership.

Commit to a Higher Purpose

Positive leaders have an image, a sense, and a reason. They understand and are able to articulate, trust in, and breathe a comprehensible idea or visualization. Purpose requires them to concentrate on long-term calculated goals. By these actions, not only are leaders engage with organizational requirements but also attend to the society benefits for employees. Remember to ask the question: What really motivates the personnel?

Build

Trust
Positive leaders create shared trust within their organizations. Through dialogue and collaboration leaders enhances cohesiveness within personnel. These personnel in turn, develop into well working producing teams or staff sections. Leaders must remember to ask themselves: What kind of listener am I?

Be Driven by Strengths and Values
Leaders that positively influence an organization know their strengths and values. Positive leaders purposely identify and live their values, strengths, and passion while at work or out in the community. These leaders are genuine with strong characters because they are able to reflect on personal experiences that contributed to who they are. These personnel ask themselves: How do I want to be remember?
Focus on the Humans, Not just the Job
Positive leaders understand that if human beings are not happy, no good productivity is coming out and they could be part of the problem. Leaders that conduct this practice create climates in which information sharing, trust, healthy risk-taking, and learning are encourage. These leaders have developed the competencies of self-awareness, empathy, judgment, and resilience to assist them in the development of their personnel. These leaders ask themselves: How can I improve the way in which I communicate to others to improve understanding, inspire confidence, and direct action?
Personify a Growth Mindset
Having a growth mindset is about demonstrating humbleness and motivation to discover, develop, and stretching your boundaries to a certain extent than trying to show skills and knowledge. Positive leaders understand that their own skills increase over time, so they are likely to persevere in the face of adversity. This practice is best use for situations that demand courage and fortitude. Leaders should ask themselves: What can I learn from this situation? What other courses of actions are available?
SGMs and other senior leaders can apply these practices and effectively promote positive leadership. Additionally, through working groups and leader development seminars these practices can be distribute to subordinates command teams and junior leaders to enhance organizational readiness throughout the ranks.