Culture & OD

Why So Serious? How Positivity At The Workplace Attracts Success?

By Tarika . September 3, 2018

In the ever-evolving world of work, positivity is no longer seen as a “nice-to-have” – it is a powerful driver of performance, creativity, and culture. Yet, in our experience at FocusU, we’ve noticed that many workplaces still confuse seriousness with professionalism. The assumption is: if you’re not stressed, you’re not working hard enough.

But here’s what the data – and our own observations – show us: Positive work environments foster better collaboration, higher engagement, and more sustainable performance.

The Business Case for Positivity

Table of Contents

Positive psychology isn’t just a feel-good movement. Research consistently shows that happier employees:

Are 31% more productive (Harvard Business Review)
Have 37% higher sales (Shawn Achor)
Are 3x more creative

In our work with over 900 organizations, we’ve seen teams thrive when leaders create environments where people feel safe, seen, and appreciated.

Reframing the Narrative: Positivity Isn’t Fluff

There is a misconception that positivity is about being blindly optimistic or ignoring real challenges. In reality, workplace positivity means:

Valuing psychological safety
Encouraging appreciation and recognition
Supporting emotional and mental well-being
Allowing space for rest, recovery, and reflection

It means creating a workplace where people don’t just survive – they thrive.

Practicing Positivity: What We’ve Noticed That Works

1. Be Present, Not Just Productive

One of the most powerful shifts we’ve seen teams make is learning to stay in the present. Instead of rushing toward the next deadline, pausing to be fully engaged in a conversation or task changes the quality of interaction. It boosts attention, collaboration, and calm.

2. Slow Down to Move Forward

We’ve noticed that burnout often masquerades as ambition. Leaders and teams stuck in overdrive end up with lower energy and higher error rates. Simple practices like breathwork, microbreaks, and mindfulness exercises have made a visible difference in how teams show up for each other.

3. Manage Energy, Not Just Time

Strained teams may push harder but not always smarter. The shift happens when leaders ask: “Where is our energy going?” By focusing on high-impact priorities and setting boundaries, teams conserve energy for the things that matter most.

Building a Culture of Creativity Through Positivity

We often quote Einstein in our creativity workshops: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” That imagination is fuelled not by pressure, but by freedom.

When organizations:

Give space for mind-wandering
Celebrate playful thinking
Welcome diverse ideas

…they unlock innovation. We’ve seen this come alive in our LEGO Serious Play workshops and creative problem-solving sprints.

Self-Belief: The Inner Foundation of Workplace Success

In our experience, one of the strongest predictors of resilience is how people relate to themselves. A growth mindset, self-compassion, and internal dialogue that supports learning (rather than self-judgment) sets the tone for how teams respond to setbacks.

Encouraging people to reflect, journal, or simply pause helps them build a better relationship with themselves. This ripples into how they interact with others.

Positivity in Practice: Tips for L&D and HR Professionals

Start with the leaders: Culture cascades from the top. Equip leaders with tools to model positive behavior.
Normalize emotional check-ins: A simple “How are you feeling today?” in a team meeting can shift the energy.
Celebrate micro-wins: Recognition doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful.
Create safe spaces: Psychological safety encourages openness and builds trust.
Integrate wellbeing into training: Don’t separate learning from human experience. Build positivity into your L&D calendar.

Real-World Reflection

We recently worked with a financial services client undergoing a major transformation. Amidst pressure and uncertainty, the team began a series of short reflective workshops on personal resilience, joy at work, and psychological safety. Within weeks, feedback scores went up, collaboration improved, and people started smiling again. The transformation wasn’t just strategic – it was emotional.

Positivity as a Strategic Lever

It’s easy to overlook the power of positivity in the face of hard metrics and quarterly targets. But what we’ve seen is that positivity isn’t the opposite of performance. It is what enables it.

Teams that are grounded, calm, and connected don’t just work harder. They work smarter, together.

In Conclusion: Why So Serious?

There is space for both ambition and ease. For both striving and smiling. And for both growth and grace.

In our work at FocusU, we’ve found that the most successful organizations aren’t just the ones with the sharpest strategy. They’re the ones with the brightest culture.

So the next time you find yourself wondering if workplace joy matters, remember: a little lightness goes a long way. And when your people feel good, they do good.

Here’s to building workplaces that help people #BeMore – not just at what they do, but at who they are.