Toxic Positivity

I just read this article on toxic positivity which inspired me to put fingers to keyboard, here.
I believe that applying positive reframing of an insult trigger could inadvertently lead to toxic positivity, especially if it involves ignoring the real harm caused by uncivil behavior and overemphasizing a positive outlook. SpatzAI is designed to address such issues directly and constructively in real-time, ensuring that genuine feelings and micro-conflicts are acknowledged and resolved in a manner that respects all parties involved.

Here is an example of Amy Edmondson, a prominent exponent of psychological safety, sprucing the value of positive reframing of an unwanted trigger during a Chas Jarvis podcast in September 2023: I interpret it as sweeping it under the rug or worse still, acquiescing.

“Someone says something in a meeting that you instantly interpret as an insult to you or as a threat to you in some way. Another moment; that’s another opportunity where you pause, breath, and think, “wait a minute my interpreted…I took that to mean XYZ. Is there another possible interpretation to that remark?”
The answer is almost surely yes, especially if you are creative, you can come up with something else and usually that something else is more benign than your first instinct. I could choose…I could go check, but I just choose to think that they weren’t actually out to get me you, they were thinking about something else or frustrated about something, ‘It was about you, not me’.“

Amy Edmondson

The SpatzAI Referee Toolkit Approach: When faced with uncivil behavior or insults, SpatzAI encourages a standard structured approach to micro-conflict resolution that does not simply gloss over negative emotions or incidents with forced positivity. Here’s how SpatzAI can help navigate such situations:

1. Acknowledgment: Recognizing and acknowledging the impact of the insult on your emotions is vital. SpatzAI supports the expression of these feelings through its structured micro-conflict resolution process, ensuring that issues are not minimized or ignored.
2. Direct Communication: Using SpatzAI’s intervention steps, you can directly address the behavior with the colleague in real-time. This involves initiating a simple verbal caution and brief explanation.
   If still unresolved an official “Caution” can be raised later through the app, which serves as a formal yet constructive way to highlight and start documenting the issue without resorting to toxic positivity or going anonymously behind the offender’s back.
3. Seeking Resolution: If the situation escalates, moving to the “Objection” and, if necessary, the “Stop” phases within SpatzAI allows for a more formal resolution process, automatically posting the conflict on the team-assisted review platform. This ensures that the issue is addressed democratically through clear, structured steps that focus on resolution rather than simply “looking on the bright side.”
4. Emphasis on Authenticity and Growth: Unlike toxic positivity, which avoids confronting negative issues, SpatzAI’s framework promotes an authentic resolution process. It encourages growth and understanding by facilitating a dialogue where all parties can express their views and work towards a mutually agreeable solution.

By focusing on direct, constructive conflict resolution, SpatzAI avoids the pitfalls of toxic positivity, ensuring that workplace conflicts, including insults, are resolved in a way that acknowledges the validity of all emotions involved and works towards a positive outcome for everyone