Defining Moments & Transformation
CENTER FOR POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONS
We inspire organizations to ignite bold transformation that fuels a thriving world.
Letter from Faculty Director
The 2024-25 academic year stands as a defining moment for the Center for Positive Organizations (CPO)—a year of embarking on an ambitious strategic transformation that honors our intellectual heritage and positions us to move into a future beyond our founding academic generation. This moment of generational shift has called for renewed reflection on our purpose as a Center and for fresh thinking about how we can continue to serve as a beacon of excellence in Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS), even as we explore new terrain to help practitioners integrate extraordinary performance with human flourishing.
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
Nearly 50 researchers at the Ross School of Business and 38 scholars across the University of Michigan (U-M) engaged with the Center for Positive Organizations and participated in research or research to practice activities this year.
Beyond our home base, the POS Community of Scholars grew to nearly 1,100 scholars globally, expanding the reach and impact of Positive Organizational Scholarship as it is pursued around the world. Over 200 of these scholars joined us for our vibrant and energizing POS Research Conference, where nearly 150 work-in-progress research abstracts were presented in simultaneous symposia.
Other key achievements in support of research excellence include:
○ Launching new web resources for research microcommunities to describe their work to the POS Community of Scholars, offering a hub for increased collaboration
○ Introducing the Research Community Fellowship for a doctoral student interested in POS to serve as an active part of the CPO research team
○ Introducing a dialogue series for emerging scholars to discuss early work with others who are poised to offer developmental feedback in our Scholar Uplift Dialogue Series
○ Hosting high-quality sessions focused on developing work for early career scholars in our Adderley Positive Research Incubator
○ Supporting the launch of a 2nd edition of The Oxford Handbook of Positive Organizational Scholarship
Expanded Impact
We are extraordinarily proud of the vital co-learning community we have built through the CPO Consortium, offering a space for practitioners interested in applying POS to learn across boundaries of generations, sectors, disciplines, and industries. We also forged new partnerships this year, offering different ways to extend the impact of POS.
With Snap Inc., we brought their expertise in the Council method to students who learned how storytelling and listening deepen human connection and offer a means for scaling empathy and compassion. With MHealthy, we supported new ways that research on human connections can inform broad health and wellness interventions. With the Center for Academic Innovation, we developed thinking about generative leadership and its role in AI-driven change. Across many collaborations, CPO consistently helps our partners realize the possibility that human flourishing can catalyze excellent performance and that the best organizations insist on their co-creation.
As we celebrate what we have accomplished together, we are energized by the possibilities that lie ahead for the Center and our broader community. Thank you for being part of our community and for your support of CPO at this exciting time.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Monica Worline, Faculty Director Center for Positive Organizations University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Research
Network of Scholars
CPO supports the transformational research efforts of
49 Michigan Ross scholars
38 associated faculty across the University of Michigan
39 affiliated faculty from other universities
Gathering of POS Scholars at AOM
Our global POS Community of Scholars spans
6 continents
30 countries
Significant growth this year
30% expansion
CPO serves as the intellectual beacon for nearly
1,100 members of the community who identify themselves as POS scholars
To introduce new scholars to the work of Positive Organizational Scholarship and offer an opportunity for the community to gather, the Center for Positive Organizations hosts an annual gathering of POS Scholars. Since 2009, we have held this popular event in conjunction with the largest management and organization studies professional conference, the Academy of Management, enabling people attending the conference to join CPO to build community, connect with research collaborators, learn about new developments in the field, and generate energy about the possibilities created by using a POS lens on organizational research questions.
THEME // Positive Organizational Scholarship: Renewing the Adventure
217 scholars registered to attend this year
Positive Organizational Scholarship Research Conference
Continuing a strong tradition that began in 2001, CPO hosted the vibrant and energizing POS Research Conference at Michigan Ross in May 2025. Attracting senior and junior scholars from around the world, the purpose of the gathering is to advance, highlight, and share notable empirical and theoretical work and elevate engaged pedagogy. With over 200 scholars in attendance, the conference serves as a significant meeting place for collaborators, a training ground for new scholars, and a consistent force for the advancement of the field of study.
Conference highlights:
170 submitted abstracts, all received peer review
110 institutions represented
223 scholars in attendance: 45% doctoral students, 55% faculty
149 presentations in concurrent symposia
22 full or partial scholarships provided
Evening session dedicated to dignity and noble work, bringing together researchers, top leaders, musicians, and community changemakers in a powerful and moving conversation
Research to Practice Session
Dedicated to Dignity and Noble Work
CPO hosted a unique session at the POS Research Conference, weaving together academic inquiry, business leadership, music, and changemaking, focusing on asking brave questions about the transformative power of human dignity and purposeful work. As part of the POS Research Conference, this special evening session was open to the public.
Peter Quigley, President and CEO of Kelly, shared his personal story and how it has shaped his passion for work that imbues people with dignity and worth. Under his leadership, Kelly pursues the purpose of connecting people with work that enriches their lives, especially through initiatives they refer to as Noble Work.
Illuminating the idea of human dignity and noble work from a different perspective and organizational lens, we welcomed Vincent Womack, artist, director, and conductor at the James A. Foshey Learning Center, a K-12 public school in South Los Angeles. In an onstage conversation, Vincent shared the passion that led him to the work he does with young people, how he builds community that inspires purpose for his students, and his motivation to create the film, The Last Repair Shop, that tells the story of dignified work. Watching the movie together with Vincent, we saw dignity and noble work come alive through the eyes of people who maintain the musical instruments for the students.
All together, this evening of scholarship, leadership, and artistry unlocked our hearts, minds, and imaginations, inviting us all to elevate our contributions to creating a world of dignity and purpose.
Research Microcommunities
To better support collaboration and enable the POS Community of Scholars to find research groups of interest, CPO initiated Research Microcommunity profile pages hosted on our website. These research group pages focus on specialized topics in POS and provide a means for new researchers to get involved with active areas of interest.
Current microcommunities include:
○ Humility Research Hub
○ Meaning at Work
○ Positive Communication Network
○ Positive Relationships at Work
Scholar Uplift Dialogue Series
In 2024-25, CPO launched a monthly dialogue series bringing together U-M doctoral students with faculty interested in Positive Organizational Scholarship. Hosting a monthly supportive learning event to foster exploratory dialogue builds the richness of our scholarly community. We welcome discussion of early work and new ideas, as well as engaging with key ideas in the field. These community-oriented research dialogues help advance work quickly and build a strong POS research orientation. Seven sessions were hosted this academic year.
The Oxford Handbook of Positive Organizational Scholarship
Adderley Positive Research Incubator
We celebrated our 250th session of the Adderley Positive Research Incubator in autumn 2024, continuing a history of supporting important early research in Positive Organizational Scholarship. The research incubator involves emerging scholars in a developmental research dialogue with distinguished faculty under the guidance of a senior mentor. These sessions have evolved into online offerings to accommodate research across the global research community. Eight sessions were hosted this academic year, with over 450 scholars attending.
As we celebrated the history of this powerful vehicle for developing POS research with nearly 400 people in an online gala, we welcomed four distinguished scholars whose work has been presented and supported by the research incubator.
Many thanks to our featured scholars:
BARBARA FREDRICKSON
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ARNE CARLSEN
BI Norwegian Business School
LAURA MORGAN ROBERTS
University of Virginia
ADAORA UBAKA
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Leaders in POS have launched a 2nd edition of The Oxford Handbook of Positive Organizational Scholarship. Gathering work from over 100 thought leaders across the field into one definitive edited volume, the updated handbook will address a wide array of key topics to advance research and support teaching.
Research Community Fellowship
With generous seed funding, CPO established a Research Community Fellowship for U-M doctoral students with demonstrated interest in Positive Organizational Scholarship. The Fellow will spend time developing connections with other researchers in the field, assisting with the Adderley Positive Research Incubator, coordinating the Scholar Uplift Dialogue Series, and participating in preparations for other research convenings. The Research Community Fellowship enables emerging scholars to quickly build their research and mentorship networks and fosters doctoral student engagement across CPO activities.
Congratulations to 2024-25 Research Community Fellow Jordan Nye, a Michigan Ross doctoral student in the Management & Organizations department.
Jordan Nye
Center for Positive Organizations Research Community Fellow and Doctoral Student, Management & Organizations, University of Michigan
Jordan studies how people think about the role of work in their lives and society, and how this informs paid employment decisions.
“This past year as CPO’s Research Community Fellow has been full of energizing conversations and impactful community-building. I’ve especially enjoyed cohosting the Adderley Positive Research Incubators with Jane Dutton and gathering for lunch with fellow doctoral students during our CPO Scholar Uplift Dialogue Series to workshop research and strengthen intradepartmental ties.
I’m also incredibly grateful for funding provided by the Center that has galvanized my research examining how individuals can sustain their well-being over the course of their working lives.
I’m looking forward to supporting another year of CPO’s worthwhile endeavors!”
Research to Practice
Positive Links Speaker Series
The Positive Links Speaker Series, running for over 22 years with 165 sessions, is one of the mostwatched speaker series at Michigan Ross. Positive Links shares leading ideas in Positive Organizational Scholarship presented by global thought leaders and designed for the accessibility and usefulness to a general audience.
In 2024-25, CPO hosted five online speakers, including sessions featuring Michigan Ross faculty Aparna Joshi and Justin Berg. We also hosted one live, in-person event, simultaneously live-streamed on the U-M YouTube channel, featuring Michigan Ross faculty Ethan Kross and Stanford researcher Jamil Zaki discussing Dr. Zaki’s book Hope for Cynics.
In total, CPO welcomed approximately
1,880 live viewers
81,489 learners watching Positive Links in our video library
Co-Learning Consortium
CPO brings together a vibrant community of learners in a dynamic, boundary-breaking format that involves students, leaders, and organizational changemakers dedicated to building thriving organizations. We hosted quarterly learning events where members of the community brought diverse perspectives and shared practices that work across various industries, sectors, disciplines, and generations.
○ Organizational members include Atomic Object, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, DTE Energy, Eversight, Humana, Menlo Innovations, and Nationwide
○ CPO facilitated 15 learning events for this community, including a full-day in-person Member Forum
Research to Practice Tools
CPO is home to innovating research to practice design that distills the science of thriving organizations into easy-to-use assessments, games, and activities. We encourage scaling and broad adoption of these tools through licenses and partnerships, exemplified by the widespread adoption and use of the Reflected Best Self Exercise, a unique 360-degree view of who one is at one’s best. Tools like these support people’s best work while they amplify human potential.
Waypoints Micro-Newsletter
CPO publishes a weekly micro-newsletter, Waypoints, which features brief and applicationoriented research translations, making the science of thriving organizations something you can learn and use every week. We include research from across the global POS Community of Scholars, enabling us to amplify the work of Michigan Ross researchers and to place ourselves at the hub of a network of people interested in the science and practice of thriving organizations.
○ Published weekly
○ Consistent, high 41%+ open rate
○ Highly subscribed with over 18,225 receiving Waypoints
Community Good News Social Campaign
Demonstrating our commitment to research to practice initiatives, CPO launched a Community Good News Social Campaign that shares good news from our research community, alumni, and collaborators. The campaign is supported by research on the capitalization of good news which finds that actively celebrating it, sharing it with friends, and amplifying its importance across our social networks is beneficial for our personal positive emotions and health, increases general well-being, and helps us cultivate thriving relationships and cohesive communities (Gable & Reis, 2010; Goh et al., 2017).
Spotlight on Success
Events
61 events
5,412 people registered
Scholars
1,100 scholars
• Consortium Co-Learning Studios and other co-learning programs
• Student and faculty community building gatherings
• Thriving Accelerators
• Positive Links distinguished speaker series
• Book launch celebration for Michigan Ross faculty, Ethan Kross
• Book talk for Michigan Ross faculty, Andy Hoffman
6 continents
30 countries
30% growth this year
Research to Practice Tools
8,250+ people used CPO’s research to practice tools
• Reflected Best Self Exercise
• Job Crafting Exercise
• The Positive Leadership Game
• Task Enabling Exercise
Teaching Cases
CPO has 45 teaching cases available for students to learn how POS has been adopted by some of the top global organizations
Many companies, organizations, and universities use our tools, such as
• Intel
• Mars, Incorporated
• Miami HEAT
• St. Jude Hospital
• United Airlines
• Yale University
Teaching cases include:
• Burt’s Bees
• DTE Energy
• Prudential Financial
• Reuters
• Southwest Airlines
• Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
Learning Programs
Thriving Catalyst Endorsement Program
U-M students in any program can earn a Thriving Catalyst Endorsement to gain an interdisciplinary grounding in Positive Organizational Scholarship. Thriving Catalyst students gain a practical, evidence-based set of tools to enhance passion, energy, connection, and purpose. In our fastchanging work environment, this endorsement helps students discover new capabilities and possibilities for both themselves and those around them.
247 total students enrolled 17/19 U-M schools and colleges represented
86 students enrolled this academic year
Thriving Accelerators
A Thriving Accelerator is a workshop-style rapid immersion in a specific topic in the science of thriving. Accelerators are modularized, scalable, and accessible to a variety of audiences. After participating, students can immediately implement their new insights to create lasting impacts on themselves and their organizations. Each accelerator provides students with knowledge of a specific research topic, offering the scientific foundation behind it. Participants also develop the skills to apply this knowledge in real-world settings and improve their ability to live out and demonstrate the topic in both personal and professional contexts.
Thriving Accelerator topics include:
○ Science of Thriving / A Framework for Thriving Organizations
○ Engagement
○ Compassion Competence
○ Sustainable Human Performance
○ Purpose
○ Strengths
○ Generosity
○ Professional Relationships
CPO facilitated 9 Thriving Accelerators with nearly 250 registrants through partnerships with these U-M organizations:
○ Michigan Ross Empower and Thrive
○ Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Orientation
○ Michigan Ross Global Initiatives
○ Tauber Institute for Global Operations
○ University of Michigan Athletic Department
○ Biophysics Department, LSA
○ Organizational Studies, LSA
○ Graham Sustainability Institute
○ Office of University Development, Telefund
Student Impact Story
Batule Hamka
Empowering Positive Change:
How the Center for Positive Organizations Transformed Batule Hamka’s Business Journey
My first encounter with the Center for Positive Organizations was spurred by an email. It was my first year, and I was (and still am) enthusiastically exploring all the opportunities around me. From Tozzi workshops about quant trading—I had no interest in finance—to speaker events across various colleges on campus, I wanted to branch out and learn. So, when this particular email invited me to attend an intriguing workshop titled “The Science of Thriving,” I had to attend.
On the day of the workshop, I walked into the Corner Commons, a brightly and naturally lit room full of energy and an inviting atmosphere. As with any space occupied by CPO, it was a space of authenticity and psychological safety, making it easy to build high-quality connections with those in attendance. I met and learned from so many new people, including fellow BBAs and other undergrads, as well as MBAs and faculty. It was exciting and refreshing to be in a learning space made up of a variety of experiences and diversity in thought. We were truly engaged in learning together and through each other, which I learned is called co-learning and is embedded in the CPO culture.
Another foundational concept that I learned — and one that would show up many times later— is the concept of positive deviance. In short, organizations fit on a bell curve, with the left tail being organizations that languish and the right tail being organizations that thrive—and thriving isn’t just a measure of financials. Through CPO, I’ve been able to delve into what it means for a company to thrive and what it takes to get there. The learning continues, however, as organizations are complex, and it takes a lot more intentionality, thought, and leveraging of research-backed principles and practices than I previously thought.
I believe that with the Center’s research and more people gaining knowledge on Positive Organizational Scholarship, we can shift this curve and bring about more thriving organizations. Ultimately, this is the kind of impact I want to have in the world of business, and through opportunities with CPO, I engage with business leaders and POS advocates that allow me to apply my learning and have that real impact.
My interest in the field is only growing, especially as organizations are experiencing an increasing need to employ POS for attracting, retaining, and building better workforces. That, and the amazing CPO community, is why I continuously get involved with the Center. I learn something new from every interaction and am now an alum of the Magnify Immersion Program and a member of the Thriving Catalyst Endorsement Program, which allows students to showcase their POS knowledge to employers. I especially like how being a Thriving Catalyst allows me to continue my learning journey at the pace I want and explore the topics I’m interested in through a wide variety of formats (live speaker events, accelerator workshops, classes, podcast recordings, etc.) while giving me recognition for my commitment to learning. I appreciate the recognition, as it is a great way for me to open up the topic of POS and share my knowledge with others.
No matter the field you are in, we can all benefit from learning how to be better leaders and how to build better teams. Personally, I want to be in the business of building better work for people, and as with all these important aspects of thriving, learning through the lens of POS is a great way to build those skills. All in all, my involvement with CPO and the impactful work we do has shaped the Ross School of Business experience that I’m proud of.
Batule Hamka is scheduled to earn her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Michigan Ross in 2027.
Strategic Partnerships
Wisdom Council
CPO established a multi-stakeholder advisory structure intentionally designed to unite those who are most invested in CPO’s success and catalyze action in support of our strategic aims. We gather annually as a full advisory and hold quarterly meetings with each advisory circle.
○ Faculty and Staff Advisory Circle (16 members)
○ Global Leader Advisory Circle (12 members)
○ Alumni Advisory Circle (10 members)
○ Strategic Advisory Board: composed of a few representatives from each advisory circle (13 members)
University of Michigan MHealthy
CPO partnered with MHealthy for their Positive Connections program to highlight effective strategies like gratitude, strengthspotting, and acts of kindness. These strategies are designed to foster joy and strengthen relationships with partners, family members, friends, and acquaintances.
○ Infused program with Jane Dutton’s research on High-Quality Connections
○ Over 500 U-M faculty/staff participants campus-wide in this 6-week program
Snap Inc.
CPO entered a partnership with Snap Inc. (the parent company of Snapchat). Snap Inc. uses a culture practice called Council, which involves storytelling in a circle format for building inclusive and high-performing communities. Snap describes this cultural practice as a way to scale empathy and deepen connections. The purpose of the partnership is to support our learning programs, build community through Council, and engage in research on the Council method and its relationship to business practice and outcomes.
Highlights of the partnership include:
○ An executed gift agreement involving support for learning programs and a case study of Council at Snap
○ Facilitation of two 2-day Council Facilitator Training and Certification Sessions, with 36 people receiving certification
○ Integration of Council into CPO events and activities, including the Magnify Immersion Program, Michigan Ross courses, Co-Learning Consortium, and Wisdom Council
University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation
CPO partnered with the Center for Academic Innovation to create a new online course: Generative Leadership – Inspiring Adaptability in an AI World
Looking Ahead
This year of achievement demonstrates our commitment to lighting the path beyond business as usual. In the year ahead, we will continue to deepen support for our global research community, we will expand our emphasis on research to practice tools and programs that bring POS to life, and we will explore new ways to support the changemakers who work every day to design systems where human flourishing and exceptional performance catalyze each other.
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Jordan B. Acker
Huntington Woods
Michael J. Behm
Grand Blanc
Mark J. Bernstein
Ann Arbor
Paul W. Brown
Ann Arbor
Domenico Grasso (ex officio)
Sarah Hubbard Okemos
Denise Ilitch
Birmingham
Carl J. Meyers
Dearborn
Katherine E. White
Ann Arbor
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY STATEMENT
The University of Michigan, including the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint campuses as well as Michigan Medicine, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office (ECRT), 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388.
CENTER FOR POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONS
Stephen M. Ross School of Business
University of Michigan 701 Tappan Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1234
CONTACT US positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu positiveorg@umich.edu
© 2025 Regents of the University of Michigan