Our column this week offers an introduction to the recently released book TomorrowMind: Thriving at Work with Resilience, Creativity, and Connection — Now and in an Uncertain Future.

TomorrowMind is the collaborative effort of Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology, and Gabriella Kellerman, the chief innovation and chief product officer of the global coaching platform BetterUp.

Dr Seligman's research and expertise have revolutionised the understanding of wellbeing and resilience, while Dr Kellerman brings a wealth of knowledge in team dynamics and organisational behaviour, with a focus on creating high-performing teams.

By way of introduction, our Moment of Clarity column on November 21 on “The Power of Gratitude at Work” also referenced the work of Dr Seligman.

I am also very familiar with the work of Dr Kellerman, including at BetterUp, and have found personal and professional insights from both. Being familiar with the work of these authors, and intrigued by the title, I was curious to explore the new ideas sure to be shared in this work.

A recent review suggests that together these two authors create a powerful synergy in TomorrowMind.

The authors' credibility stems from their significant contributions to their respective fields, making TomorrowMind a valuable tool for both personal growth and organisational and team development.

Many of the themes developed in the book are applicable to individuals, teams and organisations. The topics covered are particularly relevant to those who seek to maximise their own potential while also fostering meaningful innovation and collaboration towards a “successful and flourishing future”.

A key premise of the authors is that the cultivation of this ideal “tomorrow” mindset promotes wellbeing, personal growth and resilience for individuals, while fostering collaboration and creative problem-solving among groups and teams.

I think this premise is increasingly shared by leaders and employees across a variety of organisations, who see that simply working to achieve this ideal brings many benefits — even if the ideal may remain always just beyond reach, constantly evolving.

Three principles are proposed by the book, offering suggestions for moving towards this mindset — with an emphasis on personal development:

Embracing growth and learning: Seligman and Kellerman highlight the importance of adopting a mindset that embraces growth and continuous learning. They encourage readers to see challenges as opportunities for personal development rather than obstacles.

By reframing setbacks as learning experiences, individuals can approach them with resilience, perseverance and a commitment to growth. This mindset fosters a belief in one's ability to overcome challenges and develop new skills and knowledge.

Shifting focus to strengths:TomorrowMind emphasises the significance of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. Seligman suggests that individuals identify and leverage their unique strengths to maximise their potential and enhance their wellbeing.

By recognising and utilising their strengths, individuals cultivate a positive self-image, boost self-confidence and experience greater satisfaction in their pursuits. This book provides practical exercises and assessments to help readers to identify and develop their strengths.

Cultivating positive emotions: the authors highlight the cultivation of positive emotions. Fostering joy, gratitude and love is stressed. Engaging in activities that evoke positive emotions is hugely important, as is intentionally savouring positive experiences. By cultivating positive emotions, individuals can enhance their overall wellbeing, build resilience and develop a more optimistic outlook on life. When you smile, you feel better — even if you didn’t want to smile or even felt sad.

As referenced above, TomorrowMind not only emphasises the power of positive psychology to fuel creativity but also highlights the importance of effective collaboration to generate desired outcomes.

Thus, the application of the above to team dynamics and organisational behaviour adds depth to the book, offering practical strategies for fostering an innovative culture within teams.

By incorporating the principles and exercises outlined in TomorrowMind, individuals and teams are encouraged to unlock their creative potential, embrace new perspectives and develop unique solutions to complex challenges.

Over the coming weeks, we will share more of the TomorrowMind insights related to teams and organisations. As the title suggests, the challenges and opportunities of “tomorrow” may be most successfully addressed by developing our own mindset — a mindset grounded in both a commitment to personal development and to embracing the importance of cultivating teams and organisations.

For further information, get in touch with the Bermuda Clarity Institute by e-mailing gayle@clarity.bm