Season 4, Episode 1 | Guest: Kimberley Wakefield

As we enter 2025, CCDI is excited to launch Season 4 of Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham. In the first episode of the year, we reflect on the challenges we face in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. 

Positive psychologist Kimberley Wakefield joins us to share insights and tips for how to navigate 2025 with good intentions and the skills needed to take care of our mental well-being. We start our conversation by defining positive psychology and how it differs from traditional psychology.  Next, we discuss how Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory lays a foundation for understanding the role of positive emotions, considering what changes when we begin to notice and lean into positive moments.

Touching on the power of gratitude, Kimberley shares a strategy for those who do not thrive on a gratitude practice. We also discuss what can change when you identify your strengths and how you can do so.

Join us for an enriching conversation about building your positivity muscle, embracing gratitude, and playing to your strengths while understanding those of your colleagues! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Ideas to equip listeners to care for their mental health in 2025. 
• Background on positive psychologist, Kimberley Wakefield. 
• Positive psychology, how it differs from traditional psychology, and the negativity bias. 
• Insight into the impact that negativity has on our brains.
• Barbara Fredrickson’s theory on the evolutionary basis for positive emotions.
• What changes when we train ourselves to look for and savour positive moments. 
• Validating concerns while implementing positive psychology. 
• Benefits of stopping, acknowledging, and breathing. 
• What to do if a gratitude practice does not work for you. 
• Using the VIA Character Strengths Survey to identify your strengths in the workplace.
• Keys to building psychological safety in the workplace. 
• The part every person has to play in the positive environment of your workplace.
• Why your approach must change and develop with your needs.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Kimberley Wakefield
• Kimberley Wakefield on LinkedIn
• VIA Character Strengths Survey
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham