Even when teams put in the same effort, some thrive, while others struggle. Often, the difference comes down to one thing: the kind of leadership guiding them. In this article, Kim Cameron, Professor and Co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at The University of Michigan, shares how positive leaders fuel teams with purpose and meaning to create extraordinary organizations. 

“Flourishing and well-being of employees has to go from being a side hustle to a core part of the strategy of the company. It takes time to execute but that’s where we have to go.”
– Ashish Kothari

Positive Leadership vs. Traditional Leadership

Traditional leadership often focuses on tasks, control, and hitting targets. But we know all too well that it only leads to burnout and teams leaving the organization. Today, the workforce needs more positive leaders. Leaders who inspire and lead them to find purpose in their work, lift them up by supporting their goals, and bring out their best by instilling a sense of encouragement and inspiration. 

While good leaders guide teams to achieve good results, positive leaders genuinely care and leave a lasting impact on the team. Helping people grow and making them feel excited to contribute is their leadership’s core. Positive leaders help other people learn more, do more, dream more, and become more.

The Impact of Positive Energy on Team Performance

People naturally respond to positive energy, and teams perform better when they’re surrounded by it. Leaders who bring energy and positivity to the workplace help their teams stay engaged, motivated, and more willing to collaborate.

“In organizations, positive energy and emotions create more flourishing, and people are naturally drawn to that. They tend to do better in a positive environment, as opposed to a negative or even neutral one.”
– Kim Cameron

This positive energy can even push team members to accomplish things they didn’t think were possible. By simply showing up with a positive attitude and a supportive approach, leaders can help their teams become more productive and happier in their roles.

Meaning and Purpose as Core Motivators

Work becomes a lot more satisfying when it feels meaningful. Leaders who help their teams see the purpose behind their tasks create a deeper motivation that lasts longer than any paycheck. When employees know their work makes a difference, they tend to work harder and stick around longer.

Positive leaders can make work more meaningful by showing how each person’s contributions impact the team, the company, or even the community. Purpose-driven work doesn’t just feel better—it leads to stronger, more motivated teams.

Fostering Virtuous Behaviors in the Workplace

Positive leaders encourage behaviors like kindness, gratitude, and compassion to strengthen the workplace. These behaviors build a sense of community and belonging. Simple actions, like thanking someone for a job well done or showing empathy during difficult times, can go a long way. Fostering these behaviors turns the workplace into a place where people want to come together and succeed as a team.

Conclusion

Some organizations thrive even in tough situations, often because of the way they’re led. Leaders who move beyond task management and focus on inspiring their teams through positive leadership can make a real difference. So if you’re a leader reading this, reflect on your approach: are you building a positive, energizing environment, and setting the stage for a more engaged and high-performing team?

In this HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast episode, Ashish Kothari and Kim Cameron, Professor and Co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at The University of Michigan, explore how positive leadership brings meaning and energy to your team and boost your organization extraordinarily.

Learn more about Kim at his LinkedIn.

Listen to the podcast with Ashish and Kim below.

Access and subscribe to all of the episodes of the Happiness Squad Podcast here.

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