Dr. Kortni (00:00)
Welcome to the Compassionate Newsroom, your gateway to transforming the heart and soul of journalism. I'm your host, Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon. I'm a former news director and television reporter turned happiness scholar. Now I train news leaders and journalists worldwide, teaching them how to cultivate workplace wellbeing and resilience with positive psychology. Each week, join me as I share evidence-based strategies.
and talk with some of the most inspiring people in the industry, including news leaders, journalists, trainers, and mental health experts. Together we'll share actionable approaches to help you. Imagine a newsroom that not only cares about the story, but profoundly values the people behind them. A place where compassion is the competitive advantage. Don't just listen, become part of this transformative journey. Subscribe to and share The Compassionate Newsroom. Let's champion a more supportive,
healthier and happier newsroom culture, one episode at a time.
Dr. Kortni (01:02)
Happy Wellbeing Wednesday, I'm Dr. Kortni Today, we're gonna explore an important yet often overlooked topic in workplace dynamics. And it's the difference between healthy optimism and toxic positivity. Now our discussion is inspired by Rebecca Knight's Harvard Business Review article titled, Five Signs Your Optimism Is Hurting Your Team. We'll certainly have
that article in the show notes. Now, while Rebecca isn't with us, her insights will guide our conversation. So let's examine each sign and then think about how it appears in our environments. First one, dismissing problems. So the first sign of toxic positivity is when someone's concerns are dismissed. When a team member's voice is a struggle,
And the response is, don't worry, it'll all work out. It may sound supportive, but it overlooks their genuine feelings. True leadership means listening to and validating others' experiences. We have past episode talking about constructivist listening and the importance of what it looks like as it relates to
active listening will certainly have that episode in the show notes as well. So the next is labeling skeptics as difficult. That's labeling skeptics as difficult. The second sign is calling skeptics or critics negative or difficult. Now this can hinder open communication and awfully
impede on essential feedback within the team. So value and critical feedback is crucial for a culture of growth and true innovation. Third sign is excessive focus on positivity, often using cliches like everything happens for a reason. Now this attitude can downplay real concerns and prevent
productive conversations about genuine issues. Leaders should acknowledge the complexities of situations instead of resorting to over simplifying positivity. The fourth sign is the inclination to jump right into problem solving. While it's natural, right, to seek solutions, sometimes what's needed more is simply
to listen and let emotions be expressed. This approach can deepen the understanding and the support within the team. And finally, toxic positivity can appear as performative happiness, especially on platforms like LinkedIn or across any type of social media. One thing about LinkedIn is this, know, like constantly showcasing successes.
while hiding struggles can create unrealistic expectations and pressure. I often talk about how social media is like the highlight reels of our lives. Being authentic about both successes and challenges really fosters a healthier, more relatable work culture. So recognizing these signs in ourselves and our workplaces
is crucial for building environments where every team member feels seen, safe, and supported. Thank you so much for joining the Compassionate Newsroom. Let's continue to create spaces that prioritize genuine interactions and honesty. See you next time.
Dr. Kortni (05:10)
for tuning into the Compassionate Newsroom podcast. Together we can transform workplace wellbeing in news. If you found value in today's episode, please share it with a colleague to help foster a supportive environment in the industry. And don't forget to subscribe and also visit our website for more resources at thecompassionatenewsroom.com.
