Kathryn Britton, MAPP '06, former software engineer, is a coach working with professionals to increase well-being, energy, and meaning in their work lives (Theano Coaching LLC). She is also a writing coach, facilitator of writing workshops, and teacher of positive workplace concepts at the University of Maryland. Her own books include Smarts and Stamina on using positive psychology principles to build strong health habits and Character Strengths Matter: How to Live a Full Life. Full bio. Kathryn's articles are here.
Today’s guest is Senia Maymin. Senia’s background in a nutshell:
Currently:
- COACHING
- Executive coach and consultant to large technology companies, including Google, VMware, and Intel
- Runs a coaching network called Silicon Valley Change
- RESEARCH
- Co-Editor of Positive Psychology News (PPND)
- Co-author of the business book Profit from the Positive (McGraw-Hill Professional, 2013)
- Ph.D. in organizational behavior from Stanford
- Co-Positive Business columnist for Live Happy magazine
- On twitter as @senia
Today’s interviewer is Kathryn Britton.
(Direct link to video in Youtube)
Key take-aways from Senia (with minute:second marks):
- 0:57 – How Marty Seligman changed her life
- 2:47 – How her thinking grew from favoring self-control and goals to favoring habits. An evolution:
- From Roy Baumeister
- To Locke and Latham’s goal-setting theory
- To Srikumar Rao
- To Wendy Wood
- 7:00 – As an executive coach, the two most powerful positive psychology concepts that she has found to be effective in coaching
- 10:30 – The best parts about PositivePsychologyNews.com
- 13:14 – The FRE concept explored in Profit from the Positive
- 15:02 – In a research study on productivity, would you bet on Ben Franklin or Jerry Seinfeld? Senia and Kathryn discuss, and the answer may surprise you.
We mentioned that this is an experiment. So we know we need to improve the audio quality in future interviews, getting rid of the slight echo. What else would you like us to know about your experience listening? What made it a good experience? What could make it even better? For example, is it too long, too short, just right?
Author’s Note: If you live near San Francisco or in the Bay Area, Senia will be doing a talk at Kepler’s bookstore in Menlo Park on the evening of June 5th. Details HERE.
References
Articles in PPND by Senia Maymin solo and by Senia with Margaret Greenberg, co-author of her book.
Maymin, S. (2013). Why flimsy frameworks lead to behavior change for stuck individuals. Ph. D. dissertation.
Greenberg, M. & Maymin, S. (2013). Profit from the Positive: Proven Leadership Strategies to Boost Productivity and Transform Your Business. McGraw Hill.
Rao, S. Are you ready to succeed? Guidelines by Professor Srikumar S. Rao.. Website incuding a video titled, Creativity and personal mastery introduction.
Rao, S. (2005). Are You Ready to Succeed? Unconventional Strategies to Achieving Personal Mastery in Business and Life. Hyperion.
Wood, W., & Neal, D. T. (2007). A new look at habits and the interface between habits and goals. Psychological Review, 114, 843–863.
Photo Credit: via Compfight with Creative Commons license
Film courtesy of brianac37
5 comments
Great idea!!! Needed something like this today. Thank you:-)
Wow, Ladies! I am honored to be mentioned as you discuss the 2 most powerful positive psychology concepts – and then again later in the interview! Thank you! Great modeling of the FRE concept, Senia (ha-ha – did you notice you were doing it?) – loved it! 😉
On the Seinfeld/Franklin question, my vote goes for Seinfeld too – really fun observation!
Always good to hear your warm voices. Thank you both for all you are doing for the pos psych community.
With friendship and gratitude,
MJ
Nancy,
Thank you very much – as my colleague Kathryn says sometimes – for the flower!
Senia
Marie-Josée,
Thanks for the note! Aha, another Seinfeld better! Excellent! Love hearing that.
That’s intriguing – I didn’t notice it as FRE – I wonder if it is… I feel like it’s sharing useful info that you originated and sharing you as the source of that info!
I do, Marie-Jo… I do think it’s one of the biggest concepts that people generally will say “Oh, I know I should,” but once they actually do it, it really changes their lives. Consistently for people – for myself, for coaching clients, for people who tell me about it spontaneously!
Best to you,
Senia
I just got around to viewing this interview — I really enjoyed it Kathryn and Senia and here’s why:
First, you both came across as very natural and unscripted. If felt like the two of you were having a conversation.
Second, I like the length — not too long, not too short.
Third, I love it when you smile! I felt like I had invited you into my living room.
Fourth, I like how you reference earlier articles. I cannot believe I still recall that article you wrote Kathryn about being grateful for what DIDN’T happen. Senia says you “brought the concept to life” and I’d also say you made it “sticky” by sharing that personal story.
The only suggestion I have to making these interviews even better if for the interviewer to engage a bit with the person being interviewed. For example, “Tell us a little more about that.” Or, ask a follow-on question. Really nice job ladies!
Margaret
PS – I vote for Seinfeld as I used to do something similar and it worked. I put “Xs” on my wall calendar each day I exercised for 30 minutes. It could be any kind exercise — a walk, a swim, a yoga On Demand, or a fitness class. After about 18 months of keeping track, I stopped because I had turned exercise into a daily habit.