[Business Coach Tutorial Episode 32] The Power of Positive Psychology in Coaching

Positive psychology has been a guiding influence in my life since I first read Flourish by Martin Seligman in 2012. Now, as I complete my second unit of four in the Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching, I’m deepening my understanding of how research-backed coaching, goal-setting, and positive psychology theories translate into real-world success for my clients.

What Is Positive Psychology?

Put simply, positive psychology is the science of human flourishing. It focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses, helping us overcome the brain’s natural negativity bias—a concept researched by Michelle McQuaid (2017). This shift in focus is empowering, allowing us to amplify what we already do well instead of getting stuck on what we need to fix.

Strengths in Action: A Real-Life Example

A one-to-one client, Grace, has a natural strength in kindness—she expresses it easily with her team but struggles to extend the same kindness to herself. Why does this matter? As a senior manager in an industry facing uncertainty through redundancies, her motivation for coaching is to reduce stress and build resilience. Research by Seligman and colleagues (2005) shows that using strengths in new ways can increase happiness and reduce negative emotions—a game-changer for professionals navigating workplace and business challenges. By shifting Grace’s perspective, we’re unlocking a new level of self-compassion and resilience that will help her lead with confidence.

Professional, Evidence-Based Coaching for Proven Results

Did you know that coaching including business coaching is an unregulated industry? That means anyone can say they are a coach without any qualifications or even experience. Therefore this is a motivating reason why I have returned to a year of part-time university studies. And for those who have recently joined my coaching community, I want to reassure you that my approach is not only based on experience but is also grounded in scientifically proven methodologies. As I progress through my Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching, I’m integrating the latest research in coaching, goal-setting, and positive psychology into my practice. This means that every session is designed with evidence-backed strategies that have the power to create lasting change and measurable results.

This study is also fast-tracking me toward international accreditation with the International Coaching Federation (ICF)—further reinforcing the professional standards and effectiveness of my coaching approach. Whether you’ve been working with me for years or have only recently discovered Ask Fleur, you can be confident that the coaching you receive is structured, strategic, and results-driven—helping you not only achieve but often exceed your goals.

A Client’s Perspective: Thank You, Gayle!

A big thank you to Gayle Goldberg for sharing her recent Google review after working with me before embarking on a business and life adventure to the US next month:

“Working with Fleur has been a real paradigm shift for me. Before, I lacked focus and clarity in my business and wasn’t sure what to prioritise, and possibly going in circles or avoiding stuff. Fleur’s honesty and no-nonsense approach was exactly what I needed—she doesn’t sugarcoat things, and that’s what makes her coaching so effective.”

Curious about how coaching can help you thrive? Book a free 30-minute coaching session and let’s explore your next steps.