LVOE Book Club discussion
Positivity
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Chapter 4
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Pps. 54-55 talk about water lilie’s that close up every evening and bloom again every time they see the Sun. Dr. Fredrickson does go on to say a similar ..."
I find that when I surround myself with more positive people my vision is broadened. I agree with Fredrickson when she says that positivity brings more possibilities into view. This applies to all parts of life, even dealing with a negative situation. If I am around people who are positive, I am able to see more possible solutions to dealing with the negatives.
Mod
Dr. Fredrickson states on pps. 59-61 that this "Broadening Effect" enhances creativity and that studies from UC Berkley's Haas School of Business found that "managers with greater positivity were more accurate and careful in making their decisions, and were more effective interpersonally."
Other experimental studies on the phenomenon of positivity's impact on complex negotiations: "...people who come to the bargaining table with a cooperative and friendly spirit - riding on positivity-strike the best business deals".
Pps. 54-55 talk about water lilie’s that close up every evening and bloom again every time they see the Sun. Dr. Fredrickson does go on to say a similar heliotropic effect has been described in people. She cites evidence of this from a source called “Appreciative Inquiry:A positive revolution in change” to substantiate this; which she calls the “Broaden effect”.
Essentially what she’s saying is we need positivity which broadens our minds the way the water lilies need the Sun to fan out their petals/leaves. Dr. Fredrickson likens this effect to a biological need. The effect of positivity is only temporary, so we can actually retract when negativity enters.
Have you ever felt this happen in your own life? Are there circumstances or people that “broaden” your vision or conversely “retract” it?