Hiroshi Limmell was understandably hesitant to take up life as a student again mid-career, but he now views it as the best decision he has made, describing his journey in Positive Psychology as one that improved his workplace greatly.
Hiroshi Limmell
Head, Infuse (Organisation Culture & Employee Wellbeing), Agency for Science, Technology & Research
Graduate Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology, 2021
Q: How has Positive Psychology changed your life?
The course has given me the proper vocabulary to apply psychology at the workplace. I am able to understand and apply a strengths-based approach to adequately support my staff.
Q: How has it changed the way you work?
After my journey with Positive Psychology, now I can say that I recruit and observe staff and my own development by developing strengths, and understand not to try too hard in making up for shortcomings. I am able to focus on what matters most to be extraordinary for myself and team members around me.
Q: What value do you see in this education?
I was hesitant to sign up for a course mid-career but that decision turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. The new learnings helped to spur a new interest in an academic area that I was not trained in 20 years ago as a graduate. Adult learning may be tricky at first, especially when juggling a full-time job. The School of Positive Psychology understands what adult learners face and provides support to ease us to a good learning pace, and that is what allowed me to learn at a pace that was reasonable.
Q: In what ways have you been able to apply your learnings to your work?
Use Positive Psychology terms and concepts to explain why things are and propose solutions.
Q: What are a few key learnings you may like to share with others?
Appreciate and acknowledge team mates when their accomplishments have contributed to the team’s larger objective, and motivate them by giving them a sense of achievement in their daily work. You can do this by highlighting to them how their capabilities and strengths have improved the team’s performance. Additionally, it is important to give everyone a chance to share their opinions, encourage them to provide feedback and voice concerns, and express your value for them, using empathetic words so that peers are inspired after speaking with you. It also doesn’t hurt to thank colleagues from time to time for help rendered, no matter how small.
Cultivate a strengths-based approach to your life and work, where you apply more of your strengths rather than focusing on nullifying weaknesses. You can start by filling up a free questionnaire at viacharacter.org and observing your top strengths when you do things you love. This can help motivate you further. It is also beneficial to discover new ways to use your top strengths every day to improve your overall well-being.
Inspired to embark on your own transformation journey? Find out more on the courses at The School of Positive Psychology!
