Building Resilient Teams with Positive Intelligence

by Jul 28, 2023

In the ever-evolving world of business, one aspect remains constant: the power of teamwork. High-performing teams are the backbone of successful organizations, and team culture plays a pivotal role in their achievements. A relatively new and groundbreaking concept, Positive Intelligence, has been gaining recognition as a catalyst for positive changes within team dynamics.

Understanding Positive Intelligence

Positive Intelligence, coined by Shirzad Chamine, refers to the mental fitness that enables individuals to approach life’s challenges with a positive mindset. It involves recognizing and managing the “Saboteurs,” the internal negative voices that hinder personal growth and performance. By identifying and countering these Saboteurs, individuals can tap into their “Sage,” the wisdom and positive qualities that lead to better decision-making and overall well-being.

Civility Partner’s CEO, Catherine Mattice welcomed the audience to another exciting episode of Catherine’s Corner. She had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Kevin Gazzara, a seasoned expert in leadership development and Positive Intelligence (PQ). With a remarkable 18-year career at Intel, Dr. Kevin had extensive experience in transforming team culture through the power of Positive Intelligence. Let’s dive into the enlightening conversation that unfolded during the show.

In a world where teamwork is essential for organizational success, cultivating a positive team culture is crucial. Positive Intelligence offers a groundbreaking approach to transform team dynamics, emphasizing emotional intelligence, resilience, collaboration, and growth mindset. By recognizing and managing their Saboteurs, team members can unleash their true potential and work harmoniously towards shared goals.

Positive Intelligence (PQ) has the potential to bring about transformative changes in team culture. Let’s explore some of the key ways how Positive Intelligence can achieve this:

1. Enhancing Self-Awareness:

Positive Intelligence helps team members become more self-aware by identifying their internal Saboteurs—the negative voices that hinder their performance and relationships. This increased self-awareness enables individuals to recognize destructive patterns of behavior and thought, allowing them to take corrective actions and make positive changes.

2. Shifting from Negative to Positive Mindset:

By managing their Saboteurs, team members can shift their focus from negative thoughts and emotions to a more positive mindset. This change in attitude not only boosts individual morale but also creates an atmosphere of optimism and resilience within the team.

3. Building Emotional Intelligence:

PQ is closely linked to Emotional Intelligence (EI), which involves understanding and managing one’s emotions and those of others. As team members develop their PQ, their emotional intelligence also improves, leading to better communication, empathy, and conflict resolution skills.

4. Fostering Collaboration and Trust

When team members recognize and manage their Saboteurs, they are less likely to engage in blame games and criticism. Instead, they cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration, where individuals feel safe to share their ideas and concerns openly.

5. Promoting Resilience and Adaptability:

Positive Intelligence equips team members with the mental fitness to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. A team that embraces PQ becomes more resilient and adaptable, making them better equipped to navigate uncertainties and changes.

6. Encouraging a Growth Mindset:

PQ encourages a growth mindset—a belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Team members see failures as learning opportunities rather than reasons for self-doubt. This mindset drives continuous improvement and innovation within the team.

Positive Intelligence has a profound impact on team culture by fostering self-awareness, trust, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. It empowers individuals to navigate challenges with a positive mindset and embrace growth opportunities. As team members collectively work on developing their PQ, they create a resilient, adaptive, and thriving team culture that ultimately drives greater success and fulfillment for the entire organization.

Civility is the platform for organizational success—it is absolutely necessary for an organization to reach its goals. Download our Ebook on Seeking Civility to learn more on how to create a workplace free of bullying and abusive conduct.

 

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

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