The Power of Positive Thinking & Safety Culture

While Norman Vincent Peale (1998-1994) was a prolific writer, “The Power of Positive Thinking” was by far his most widely read work.  The book was first published in 1952. Now, over 60 years later, advances in cognitive psychology and neuroscience have added some scientific evidence to his theory. 

For years the phrase “positive thinking” was considered by many to be a soft and fluffy term that was easy to dismiss.  The workplace guru’s preferred the more intellectual terms of “work ethic” and “persistence,” or more recent, “employee engagement.”  We won’t attempt to explain the vast amount of research that has gone into this study, but do want to give you some of the conclusions drawn that are very interesting when it comes to understanding employee attitudes that have so much to do with employee performance.

These recent advances in cognitive psychology and neuroscience have shown, as the scientists say, “how our life’s ups and downs activate different neural circuits in the brain and create rapid changes in a range of important neurotransmitters.”  In other words changes in brain chemistry can alter how we think which then relates to how we feel and then how we behave.

Keeping a positive attitude and reducing work stress whenever possible can be critical in a safety environment.  Consider the following conclusions that were derived from a large meta-analysis combining the findings of over 225 academic studies on employees with a positive psychological wellbeing:

• They have on average 31% higher productivity  
• Are highly predictive to have long-term physical health
• Are less likely to have elevated levels of stress and stress related illness
• Avoid the anxiety that triggers depression

Negative emotions that are caused by fear, anger, stress, self-doubt etc closes our brain off from the outside world where positive emotions broaden the sense of possibility and opens our mind to more positive options. 

A recent Gallup survey reported that 70% of the US workforce is disengaged with their job. EHS Advisor in a recent survey relayed that over 90% of safety professionals felt that the lack of worker participation was the number one issue they faced on the job. 

While maintaining and fostering a positive attitude toward safe work performance may not be the answer to a great safety culture, it certainly will play an important part.

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