Category: PERMA tools

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Reflect on leadership behavior in a scientifically sound way: PERMA-Lead Profiler

Detailed feedback on your own positive leadership behavior and expectations in just 15 minutes? This is possible with the PERMA Profiler, an online test procedure that meets the criteria for organizational psychology diagnostics.

The evaluation

In my opinion, the evaluation report is terrific. You get a 13-page evaluation report with appealing content and design. It also shows your own results in comparison to a regularly updated benchmark. This allows you to see in which PERMA lead factors you are already well positioned and where there is still potential for development.

The exciting thing: The Profiler is also part of the 360-degree feedback and, based on the data from the self-assessment and external assessment, a study was able to show that although managers rate themselves better than employees do, the trends are the same. This means that if, for example, you rate yourself as having the most room for improvement when it comes to promoting positive emotions at work, employees are likely to rate you the same way. This means that you can also work on the relevant areas based on your self-assessment.

Profiler: Excerpt from the "Positive emotions" section

The report also has the advantage that everything is explained individually according to the results. More than 700 different text modules are combined for this purpose. And you get a benchmark for each area, i.e. how other managers rate themselves in this area.

Unfortunately, the test is not free, as the development team, servers, etc. have to be financed. There is a variant where you get the results yourself, but I would only recommend this in connection with a workshop, as in my own experience it is important to be able to discuss the results. The second option is to do this at the same time as an evaluation coaching session, in which case you receive the report during the meeting with the coach.

If you want to do one of the variants, get in touch with me or with one of the other certified PERMA lead coaches. You can find a coach in your area via this GoogleMaps map. Then simply write an email to the dear colleagues at [email protected] with the number of the coach you want and you will get the contact.

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Four evening questions - find your strength(s)

Invest 14 days, 8 minutes each - and consciously experience your day: Notice the positive moments, recognize the valuable contributions of others and become aware of your own strengths.

Scientifically sound

And, as usual with PERMA-Lead, the whole thing is scientifically sound: 95 % of the almost 100 participants reported that the exercise, which is available here in a slightly modified form for the Download is a positive change and enrichment. The first and third questions were perceived as relatively easy, while the second and fourth questions provided the greatest insight. Over time, the exercise became easier for many, and some began to consciously look for situations during the day that they could write down later. The fourth question in particular, which focused on strengths, had a deeper impact than a simple strengths question. Many participants only recognized their strengths after a few days and reported "chain effects" in which one recognized strength made them aware of others. The exercise led to a change in the focus of perception and helped the participants to get to know themselves better. Despite the small amount of time required - just two hours over two weeks - the exercise had a significant effect (Source: Ebner, M. (2024). Positive leadership in practice. Facultas. Vienna; Ebner, M. (2017). 4-Evening-Questions: A simple tool with a profound effect. Organizational Consulting, Supervision, Coaching, 24(3), 269-282).

Tetris effect

The exercise also has an exciting side effect: managers who complete this exercise will also try to recognize strengths in their employees. This is due to the so-called TETRIS effect. People begin to see these patterns in other areas of life through repeated exposure to a particular task or experience. The term comes from the video game "Tetris", in which players have to arrange falling blocks so that they form complete rows. People who played Tetris intensively reported that they also began to see and "sort" objects or situations like Tetris blocks in their everyday lives outside of the game. For me personally, I would call this effect the baby carriage effect because I have experienced it myself. If you look into buying one, you will only see baby carriages everywhere.

In our context, this means that when managers focus on their own strengths and try to make use of them, they automatically focus more on these positive qualities - including in their employees. As a result, they develop a greater awareness of their employees' potential and the likelihood that it will be actively utilized increases.

PERMA factors

This tool contributes to almost all PERMA lead factors. One consciously takes positive Emotions true. Essentially, it is about recognizing your own strengths (Commitment). This may also have an impact on employees through the Tetris effect. You also become aware of which people have contributed to positive feelings (strengthens sustainable relationships - Relationship) and you realize what you have achieved (Accomplishment). A great tool!

Download

You can find the exercise and instructions here free for download. I wish you great insights with this tool!

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Kudos board - making successes visible

How can success be made visible and how can the fifth PERMA lead element, Accomplishmentpay in? Is that also possible if you don't have a budget? It is possible! And with a Kudos board, it only costs a little paper and tape. The whole thing is even nicer with a whiteboard and magnets, but that's all you really need. But let's start from the beginning.

What is Kudos?

The term "kudos" has its roots in ancient Greek; the word "κῦδος" (kudos) means fame, honor or recognition. It became popular in the English language in the 19th century and was initially used in academic and literary contexts. In modern usage, "kudos" is often an informal term used in social media, business and personal interactions to express praise and recognition. The term has thus evolved from a classic, venerable term to an everyday expression of appreciation.

generated with AI

What is a Kudos board?

I got the basic idea from Dr. Markus Ebner's book "Positive Leadership in Practice." There, Mathias Posch from ICS describes in his chapter "International Conference Services: A dedicated team and a shared vision as a recipe for success" (pp. 223-234), that they have a Brag Wall in the kitchen on which, for example, praise emails from customers are posted so that everyone can take note of the successes. I have taken this great approach and developed it further. Because in my own working environment, we are also very lucky to receive a lot of thank-you letters. But do people actually read the one or two A4 pages when they are hanging on a wall?

Kudos cards

I have therefore developed the idea further and designed Kudos cards. The team leader can either fill them out and summarize the contents of the thank you letter, or you can send the sender a selection of cards as a PDF and ask them to fill them out by hand. This makes the Kudos board even more personal. Then all you need is a nice place in the lounge, ideally a whiteboard with a few casual magnets, and you're ready to go - with the visualization of successes.

Fictitious example of a completed Kudos card

Kudos cards download

I have a few different Kudos cards designed, which here for free use to make available. It is a PDF file with several templates, all in DinA5 format. Have fun visualizing your successes!

What makes me particularly happy: Police Commissioner Torsten Krückemeier took up the idea and had Kudos cards designed and produced for the Central Hesse Police Headquarters. and you can also download them here free of charge. free use download.

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Instructions for use for yourself

A tool for self-reflection and team integration

I am delighted to be able to support the great idea of the Central Hesse Police Headquarters under the leadership of Police Commissioner Torsten Krückemeier to share with you.

What is it all about?

I quote: "[The Manual of Me] is intended to be your personal "instruction manual" that helps other people to understand you better, to work together more harmoniously, and to make your life easier.
and communicate effectively with yourself. At the same time, by creating the manual, you reflect on yourself and your needs - which helps you AND others.
The manual should reflect your individual character, your ideas and preferences in a professional context. This can help to make topics that are personal to you (more) discussable."

Reference to PERMA-Lead

The tool contributes to various PERMA elements. For example, it promotes Commitmentstrength-oriented leadership, because it is precisely according to strengths ("I can do this well and
gives me energy") is asked. And when you become aware of this yourself AND you share it with your team or team leader, this is an essential step towards putting strength-oriented leadership into practice.

But it particularly promotes RelationshipsThis is because it helps to get to know the characteristics of the other people in the team. However, the prerequisite is that you feel safe in this team, otherwise it is unlikely that someone will open up personally in this way. This is why the tool is only partially suitable for the introduction round. But if psychological safety is a top priority in the team and the manager promotes this, i.e. trust, a culture of learning and inclusion are practised, this tool is ideal for getting to know each other in a structured way at an initial team event.

Download

The "Manual of Me" is available herer including explanation for download.

Click to download