Welcome to the episode All About Positivity! We’re talking today with Jeff Pudwill, a Certified Strengths Strategy Coach. Jeff and I dive into the theme of Positivity, as well as a candid discussion about tougher topics like depression. My hope is that sharing my story encourages you to speak more opening, support less judgmentally and seek help when you need it.
About Jeff Pudwill
Jeff Pudwill has had significant experience in employee and leadership development. His skill and presence as a positive, high-energy facilitator has built his reputation for engaging participants and creating the space that inspires them to effectively develop Strengths and apply new learning.
Jeff’s Top 5 StrengthsFinder Strengths
- Positivity
- Developer
- Harmony
- Connectedness
- Empathy
Key Takeaways
- People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have a contagious enthusiasm. These people often light up a room with their smile alone.
- Positivity brings Enthusiasm and even Hope into potentially the darkest of time. It sees the silver lining in everything.
- People with Positivity want others to feel that hopefulness and enthusiasm. But when going there and forging ahead, you may step on others’ needs in the process.
- An overuse pattern of Positivity is taking responsibility or trying to get in and help others with issues when they are in pain.
- Another overuse pattern is this notion of waiting things out. Even if things are not okay right now, they may be okay in the future. It limits taking proactive steps to make a situation better.
- Overwhelmingly negative situations may cause individuals with high Positivity to simply shut down.
Listen in now!
Alissa Daire Nelson All About Positivity with Jeff Pudwill
Time-Stamped Show Highlights
- [3:44] – About Jeff’s Strengths
These are all Relationship Building Strengths, and I sometimes cannot even distinguish between how some of them are showing up!
- [5:29] – Jeff’s personal definition of Positivity
Simply, knowing that everything is okay and will be okay—even in moments of life when there are challenges or frustrations.
- [7:19] – A common overuse pattern of Positivity
- [9:02] – Personal examples of Jeff’s Positivity in action (and others’ reactions to it)
- [10:33] – Empathy and Positivity in combination
Empathy as a Strength has a compassion for others—really feeling what others are feeling.
- [11:52] – Why knowledge of your Strengths is important
- [13:47] – Alissa’s personal story of hopelessness and how it affects her Positivity
- [15:09] – Dealing with hopelessness when you have Positivity
We need to simply accept these truisms of being human and know that there are sometimes chemical or physiological things going on. We simply need to honor and take care of those.
- [19:23] – The Pixar film, “Inside Out,” and Positivity
- [21:28] – Positivity’s triggers
- [23:41] – About Relationship Building themes
These themes are about creating the space to allow others to be who they are, what they are, where they are.
- [26:11] – Jeff’s biggest tip for someone with high Positivity
