Why positivity in the workplace is more than just a good feeling

A positive work culture is not a "nice extra. It is the foundation for healthy, engaged and productive employees. Not only do we believe that at SkillsTown, we put it into practice. So during Positivity Day, we're putting everything we can into mental balance, fun and appreciation.

And that dovetails perfectly with National Vitality Week 2025, which from September 22 to 28 is all about Mental Balance. Because when you invest in work happiness and positivity, you work on sustainable employability and business success. In this blog you can read why positivity works, what we did ourselves at SkillsTown and how you can translate that to your own organization.

Positivity: a scientifically proven success factor

Research shows time and again that a positive work environment produces tangible benefits. Fredrickson's (2001) study, for example, shows that positive emotions not only make employees feel good, but also enhance their learning ability, creativity and social connectedness. This is also known as the Broaden-and-Build Theory: positive experiences broaden one's outlook and build a strong foundation of resilience, self-confidence and creativity.

Harvard professor Shawn Achor also showed that happy employees are up to 31% more productive, sell 37% more and are three times more creative. His conclusion? Success follows from happiness and not the other way around.
A positive mindset directly impacts performance, collaboration and resilience. But how do you bring that to life in the workplace?

Positivity Day at SkillsTown: an atmospheric impression

During Positivity Day 2025 we made this theme concrete, fun and above all: connecting. A day full of surprises, with plenty of room to laugh, reflect on personal growth and celebrate successes with each other. Because positive energy does not just happen by itself, you have to do something for it.

A small sample of the program:

Spin the wheel of positivity
The day began in the office where colleagues could pick up their lottery numbers for the wheel of positivity . With prizes ranging from an extra day's leave, SkillsTown onesie, sausage rolls for your whole team or even the chance to have a work job taken over by a colleague.

• Studio moment
  In our own studio, employees engaged in conversation about tantalizing statements such as, "What is your guilty pleasure at work?" or "Which colleague do you like to put in the spotlight and why?" The answers yielded wonderful, inspiring and funny stories.
• Laughter workshop
  Did you know that laughter is one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress and increase connection? During an interactive session, we learned how to generate real energy through (fake) laughter. And yes, it was contagious.

Why positivity works and why it should be structural

That is why SkillsTown chooses a structural approach, in which there is also room for awareness. Managers are encouraged to express appreciation, webinars on mental balance are organized, and employees know where to turn if they have a problem.

And that is necessary. Because according to the latest figures from TNO (2024), 1 in 5 working people in the Netherlands experiences mental overload at one time or another. By investing in positivity, you can help prevent this and build sustainable motivation.

Therefore, SkillsTown has formed a special committee with three colleagues. They organize a quarterly activity where all employees are put in the spotlight. This way positivity is made tangible and appreciation is given a permanent place within the organizational culture.

Positive thinking can be trained

As an organization, do you want to do more with this theme? Then start with yourself. After all, positive thinking is not a trait, but a skill. And you can develop it.

A great first step: the "Positive Attitude" webinar on the SkillsTown platform. In it, you'll learn how to use your language, questioning and mindset to have more influence on yourself and others.

You'll discover, among other things:

• How to convert negative thinking patterns into solution-oriented behavior
• Why positivity makes you more effective in communication and collaboration
• How you can make a big difference with small changes in your attitude.
  Highly recommended for anyone who wants to work in a constructive, conscious way towards more job satisfaction and impact. Because as we also saw during Positivity Day positivity is contagious.

Key take aways

As an organization, do you want to do more with mental balance, positivity and vitality? Then get inspired by our approach:

• Make positivity visible. Organize an energetic day or moment when you pay attention to work happiness.
• Embed it in your culture. Encourage appreciation, open conversations and a growth mindset in your teams.
• Learn the right skills. Use the webinar Positive attitude to give employees and managers concrete tools.

Because vitality starts with a positive work culture, and it starts with you!