The Science of Thriving at Work: Individuals, Groups and Organizations

In this comprehensive exploration, we will immerse ourselves in the growing domain of positive organizational scholarship (POS) and positive psychology, equipping students with research knowledge and practical skills to foster individual and collective flourishing in work settings. Flourishing is a multidimensional concept that captures the optimal state of functioning in individuals, groups, and organizations. It encompasses thriving, engagement, health, growth, creativity, and other markers of positive deviance. Throughout the course, we will delve into the core topics and foundational theories of positive psychology and POS to understand how human flourishing can be nurtured and sustained.Our journey will begin by understanding the historical roots of positive psychology, which emerged as a paradigm shift, challenging traditional psychology to explore the positive aspects of life and build on human strengths and capacities. We will also examine how flourishing extends beyond merely curing pathology, emphasizing the need to unlock and capitalize on potential resources at various levels, from individuals to teams, communities, and institutions. We will unravel the science of habit formation and how positive habits relate to flourishing. We study the science of happiness and general well-being, and explore how to identify and leverage individual strengths to foster personal growth and resilience. We will also build an understanding of research showing the power positive emotions have to shape well-being and performance. We will furthermore study positive Interventions - exploring evidence-based practices to cultivate flourishing in personal and professional contexts and strategies for building thriving workplaces that unleash the best in people. While we embrace the transformative potential of positivity, we also acknowledge the complexities and potential dark sides of this approach. We will critically discuss the challenges of maintaining a positive pathway, aiming for a nuanced understanding of positive psychology and its application in organizations.Our pedagogy will go beyond traditional lectures, actively involving you in individual and group experiential exercises, reflections, and discussions. Moreover, this course places emphasis on research exploration, and includes assignments asking you to design and conduct a research project to examine the effects of positive interventions. By the end of this course, you will have gained valuable insights into cultivating personal well-being and creating positive change within groups and organizations. Together, we will uncover the keys to unlocking human potential and fostering thriving - personally, professionally, in teams, and in organizations.