People with strong Positivity talents are at their best when they are encouraging others to be more productive and hopeful.
Positivity®
A theme in the Relationship Building domain of CliftonStrengths
People exceptionally talented in the Positivity theme have contagious enthusiasm. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Full Theme Description
You are generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation. Some call you lighthearted. Others just wish that their glass were as full as yours seems to be. But either way, people want to be around you. Their world looks better around you because your enthusiasm is contagious.
Lacking your energy and optimism, some find their world drab with repetition or, worse, heavy with pressure. You seem to find a way to lighten their spirit. You inject drama into every project. You celebrate every achievement. You find ways to make everything more exciting and more vital. Some cynics may reject your energy, but you are rarely dragged down.
Your Positivity won't allow it. Somehow you can't quite escape your conviction that it is good to be alive, that work can be fun, and that no matter what the setbacks, one must never lose one's sense of humour.
This Theme’s Power and Edge
There is power in Positivity. They bring enthusiasm to people, groups and organisations. They can inspire others to be more productive and hopeful. People with dominant Positivity talents have infectious energy and enthusiasm. Simply stated, everyone feels better about life when these people are around.
How People with Strong Positivity Talents Describe Themselves
"I am cheerful, hopeful and fun-loving."
"I need freedom to experience the joy and drama of life."
"I love living life to its fullest."
"I hate negative people who drain the life out of others."
"I bring contagious energy and enthusiasm."
Theme Contrast
| Positivity | Light-hearted |
| Analytical | Serious-minded |
| Positivity | Praise can’t be overdone, so I am generous with it. |
| Deliberative | Praise can be overdone, so I use it sparingly. |
Positivity Helps and Hinders
Helps
Your natural enthusiasm inspires others to see the possibilities rather than the problems. This creates a solutions-focused team that is not easily discouraged.
When those around you start feeling overwhelmed and weighed down, you bring a "possibility" point of view that helps them see the light at the end of the tunnel. You are an optimistic person who people are drawn to.
In a less-than-perfect world, your positive frame of mind allows you to focus on what is right instead of dwelling on what is wrong, which gives you courage and confidence to face adversity.
Your tendency to focus on what is right is not limited to situations, but extends to people as well. Because you see what is right about them, others gain self-confidence from your belief in them.
Hinders
You may be seen as having a "Pollyanna" attitude, that is, an unrealistic optimism that is not grounded in reality. Help others know that you do indeed understand the negative aspects of a situation, but choose instead to focus on the positive.
If you lead a team, be careful that you don't give your associates the impression that you don't want to hear any bad news. This will lead to their being less than forthright with you, withholding important information that is crucial to your leadership.
You may tend to rush to lead others to a positive solution before they have had adequate time to vent — which leads to greater frustration on their part. Learn to honour another person's feelings, and allow them enough space and time to express their feelings before moving on.
Be careful to be genuine in your praise of others. False praise can be more discouraging than criticism. Celebrate the small accomplishments — but be sure there is actually something to celebrate.
If Positivity is a Dominant Theme for You, Take Action to Maximise Your Potential
Share your enthusiastic and energetic approach with others when they become discouraged or are reluctant to take risks. Your positive attitude will help keep them moving.
Help others see the things that are going well for them. You can keep their eyes on the good.
Have good stories, jokes and sayings ready to lift or lighten colleagues’ moods when they need to rise above their daily frustrations. Never underestimate the effect that you can have on people.
Stay committed to praising the people you work with. Try to tailor your praise to each person’s needs. When you remind others of the positives you see, they feel rewarded and encouraged, and so do you.
Set up team events to celebrate your colleagues’ and team’s successes. For example, find ways to turn small achievements into events, plan regular celebrations that others can look forward to or make the most of the year’s holidays and festivals.
Avoid negative people. They will bring you down. Instead, align with people who find the same kind of drama and humour that you do in humanity. You will energise each other.
Potential Blind Spots to Watch Out for
Sometimes your optimism and generosity with praise might come off as superficial, naïve or insincere. Make sure your positivity and admiration are always genuine; you can do more damage with false praise than with criticism.
Be careful not to point out the positive side of a bad situation before others have the chance to fully vent. Acknowledge that sometimes people are not ready to hear the bright side and just need you to listen.
If Positivity Is a Lesser Theme for You
The opposite of Positivity is not negativity but rather a more balanced approach. Lacking the intensity of the Positivity theme might mean that you are more restrained in your support or praise.
Ask the people around you to identify recent individual or team successes. This technique will help you recognise praiseworthy areas that you may have overlooked.
Find those among your top themes that can bring other forms of emotional energy to the situation. Achiever, Competition and Significance talents can provide motivation in a similar way that Positivity talents do for others.
If you are planning an event where you want to energise people and provide an engaging experience, consider doing structured activities that get people talking to one another, rather than expecting yourself to be the source of energy and fun.
Make an effort to spend more time with people with positive energy.
Source: Gallup®
‘“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”
— Henri Matisse, artist