But What About the Problems? Why Positivity Wins.
We hear it a lot. When we describe our positive, strengths-based approach to working with nonprofit leaders and organizations, a common response is, “But what about the problems?”
And it’s true. What do we do with them? It is a question of considerable importance for nonprofit boards, given that they hold ultimate legal responsibility for the organization. Problems cannot be ignored, but to what extent should they take center stage?
There are plenty of reasons to suggest that it is positivity that should take center stage. Why?
The short answer to why a positive approach is more effective than a deficit-based approach is that identifying the things that work provides a stronger growth platform than one formed by focusing on what doesn’t work. To paraphrase business consultant Peter Drucker, discovering what fuels success is more productive than focusing on the factors that fuel failure.
Our strengths-based, positive approach to organizational development provides multiple opportunities (interviews, surveys, focus groups, workshops, retreats) for Board members, staff, and others to share their perspectives - including perceived problems - to create a reality-based foundation upon which a vision for the future can be built.
And remember, we don’t actually ignore problems! It is extremely important to ensure that people feel and actually are heard, and that their opinions and concerns matter. In a positive, strengths-based environment 1) people tend to feel more confident and are therefore more likely to share their worries and concerns, and 2) it becomes an easier task to reframe perceived problems, thereby creating goals instead of amplifying barriers.
So here are the three reasons why positivity wins:
Human systems tend to grow in the direction of their established values. There is a great analogy for this idea, appropriate to the time of year. Just as the emergent life of Spring grows towards the sun, human systems grow towards dominant values: positivity inspires growth, negativity leads to decline.
Positive psychology 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. This approach has been found to promote social and emotional wellbeing and, to some extent, physical health. In my early years as a teacher, a colleague shared with me that positive reinforcement of students always yields the best outcomes, followed by indifference, and then negative reinforcement. If my colleague was right - and there is plenty of evidence to show that she was - why do we tend to focus on the negatives around the nonprofit board table?
It feels good! Engaging in creative, inclusive, and meaningful dialogue is pleasurable, enhances relationships, and strengthens a sense of common purpose. And it works!
And so when a Board member asks “But what about the problems?” We respond with “Please, tell us all about them, and we will help reframe them into goals so that together, we can discover how to build a better world.”