Developing resilience with
the help of the PERMA model.
Resilience transforms obstacles into stepping stones. Life throws countless challenges our way, making the pursuit of resilience seem like an insurmountable task. But what if the key to building resilience lies not just in avoiding discomfort, but in actively engaging in activities and thoughts that foster positive emotions? The PERMA model highlights five dimensions that are crucial for cultivating resilience. These principles can be effectively applied in both personal and professional settings.
PERMA model is a model theorised by psychologist Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, which outlines the characteristics of a “flourishing” person. Specifically, Seligman identifies 5 components on which to work voluntarily to flourish, and therefore reduce anxiety, stress and depression: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment.
Since the five dimensions are independent and measured separately, everyone’s free to devote more effort to one dimension than to another, following his or her instincts and inclinations. However, it’s important to keep in mind that in many cases the five areas tend to positively contaminate each other and can collaborate in building a happier individuality, but also a happier community.
- Positive emotions: positive emotions - such as joy, hope, love, gratitude, satisfaction, fun - are the basis of intrinsic motivation. Being able to recognise, savour and integrate these emotions into our lives is very important for improving our attitude and strengthening resilience.
- Engagement: according to Seligman, we should increase the time we devote to all those activities or situations that involve us so much that we enter a sort of "flow" in which space and time seem to stop, making us focus fully on the present moment.
- Relationships: Human beings have a deep need to be social and connect with others. Building strong and positive relationships makes us stronger and happier and increases our sense of belonging and protection.
- Meaning: whether it's volunteering, participating in the organising of an event or acquiring a new skill to achieve a goal, committing our energies to activities that have greater meaning is a source of positive emotions and helps us to overcome difficulties better.
- Accomplishment: looking back and feeling satisfied that we have achieved a goal or task makes us feel stronger and more secure. And, according to Seligman, this feeling is even stronger when we work on achieving intrinsic goals, such as personal growth.
While dedicated to individual flourishing, the PERMA model can be used by companies and their L&D/HR teams to create a positive professional environment that helps to promote well-being and foster resilience. Here are some suggestions:
- Create a fertile ground for positive emotions.
Building a vibrant and uplifting work environment is key to keeping your team engaged and resilient. L&D and HR professionals play a crucial role in this. Think of it as nurturing a garden: by encouraging positive feedback, promoting a healthy work-life balance, and offering chances for employees to unwind and recharge, you help cultivate a more resilient and optimistic workforce. When employees feel good about their work environment, they’re better equipped to tackle challenges with a positive outlook. - Develop personal talent.
To keep your employees excited and involved, it’s essential to let them tap into their unique talents and passions. L&D and HR professionals should focus on offering growth opportunities that align with individual goals. By supporting career development and celebrating successes, you foster a culture of enthusiasm and dedication. Recognising achievements not only boost morale but also strengthens employees' connection to their roles and to the organisation. - Encourage positive relationships.
Strong connections between colleagues are the backbone of a productive and harmonious work environment. L&D and HR professionals should prioritise building a culture where positive relationships can thrive. Facilitate opportunities for team bonding and social interactions, both in and out of the office. Whether it’s through team-building activities or casual social events like a team aperitif, these interactions help build trust and improve overall workplace satisfaction. - Share and commit.
Employees are more engaged when they see how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Keep your team in the loop about company projects and show them how their roles drive success. This sense of purpose makes work more meaningful and boosts motivation. Plus, supporting initiatives that align with social and environmental values, like our assessment ‘Environment – How green are you?’ or our online courses ‘’Sustainability’, can further engage your team and deepen their commitment to the organisation’s mission. - Align values and goals.
Achieving goals makes us feel good, but to keep your employees happy throughout the process, it is important that they believe in what they do, and feel that they can make a difference. In this respect, it’s the job of line managers and L&D/HR managers to recognise and value the potential of their employees, and then to develop career paths in accordance with their values and aspirations. To simplify this process, you can use GoodHabitz's "Personal Action Plan", available on Promo Studio: use it to identify the strengths and growth areas of each of your employees and design their ideal development path together with them.
Tune into Mariska Beijer's compelling story.
Discover valuable lessons and strategies for building resilience in your teams. Tune into our podcast episode 'Resilience: from setback to comeback'.