The Power of Positive Psychology: How Singapore is Embracing the Path to Happiness
In a world driven by productivity and results, Singapore stands out by redefining what true success means. Beyond economic achievements and global rankings, the nation has embraced positive psychology—the science of well-being, strengths, and human potential. This shift isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about crafting a life where people thrive at work, in relationships, and within the community.
More importantly, this mindset has permeated Singapore’s education system. Over the past decade, we’ve partnered with numerous schools to implement Gallup CliftonStrengths programs through our student workshops, helping students recognize and develop their unique strengths. Although we now focus exclusively on corporate programs, it’s heartening to see how educators continue to prioritize holistic development, ensuring the future of this nation is built on confidence, potential, and resilience.
Let’s explore how understanding personal strengths through positive psychology is transforming Singapore’s workplaces, schools, and communities.
1. Positive Psychology: A Global Movement with Local Impact
What Is Positive Psychology?
Positive psychology focuses on what makes life worth living, emphasizing personal strengths, well-being, and fulfillment. In a fast-paced environment like Singapore, this science offers practical tools to build resilience, manage stress, and enhance happiness.
Why It Matters:
Singapore’s dynamic culture often emphasizes achievement, but applying positive psychology helps balance ambition with well-being. Imagine a society where happiness is viewed not as a reward but as a daily practice.
Cigna Insight:
According to the Cigna Healthcare International Health Study 2024, 34% of Singaporeans rated their physical health as very good or excellent—the highest level reported since 2019. This improvement reflects the nation’s growing emphasis on holistic well-being.
“Engaging in daily gratitude practices can increase well-being by up to 10%.” - Positive Psychology Research
2. The Strengths Profile of Singapore: Insights from the Data
Data reveals that Relator, Responsibility, and Restorative are among the top strengths in Singapore. These traits reflect a culture that values deep relationships, accountability, and resilience—a perfect blend for fostering long-term success.
How Strengths Create Meaning:
Relator: Helps build meaningful relationships at work and home.
Responsibility: Creates a sense of purpose by honoring commitments.
Restorative: Encourages proactive problem-solving, reducing daily stress.
Source: CliftonStrengths Theme Frequency Report by Gallup. Copyright © Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
Download this report to find your country’s CliftonStrengths Theme Frequency Report.
“Employees who use their strengths daily are six times more likely to be engaged at work.” - Gallup
3. Building a Positive Workplace Culture through Strengths-Based Practices
Why It Works:
When employees are encouraged to use their strengths, they feel recognized, valued, and empowered—leading to higher productivity, stronger team dynamics, and a deeper sense of job satisfaction. A strengths-driven workplace fuels collaboration, creativity, and innovation, creating a positive environment where both individuals and organizations can thrive.
Our Contribution:
Over the past decade, we’ve partnered with organizations across diverse industries through our strengths based programs like TeamEDGE™ and LeadershipEDGE™, to name a few. These initiatives help teams and leaders discover, develop, and apply their unique strengths to achieve greater effectiveness, team synergy, and workplace well-being.
Through tailored workshops, coaching sessions, and leadership development programs, we guide organizations toward embedding strengths-based leadership into their cultures. This approach not only boosts productivity but also fosters an environment where employees feel supported, engaged, and inspired to excel.
Example:
Several Singaporean companies that have participated in our TeamEDGE™ and LeadershipEDGE™, programs have reported:
Improved Team Engagement: Employees feel more connected and committed to their work. Through our programs, individuals report a 79% increase in understanding their greatest value-add to the organization.
Better Collaboration: Teams work more effectively by leveraging each other’s strengths. Through our programs, teams report a 111% increase in understanding each other’s working style.
More Effective Leadership: Leaders gain insights into their teams’ strengths and learn how to align roles and tasks to boost productivity and morale.
We believe more organizations will recognize this value and make a strengths-based approach a core part of their organizational strategy.
“Organizations with strengths-based cultures experience 29% increased profit.” - Gallup
4. Beyond Work: Community Initiatives Driving Collective Well-Being
Singapore’s well-being efforts extend far beyond the corporate world. Community programs focused on emotional resilience, mindfulness, and mental health support have strengthened the nation’s social fabric. These initiatives create a culture where collective well-being is prioritized, ensuring that support networks extend into everyday life.
One striking example of this growth comes from Singapore’s volunteer sector. According to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the total number of volunteers and beneficiaries grew by 67% and 50%, respectively, in the past year (Straits Times, 2024). This surge reflects a deepening commitment to social responsibility and community development.
How Community Engagement Adds Meaning:
Strengthened Social Bonds: Volunteering creates opportunities for meaningful interactions, reducing loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging.
Sense of Purpose: People who use their strengths to serve others experience increased fulfillment and life satisfaction.
Cigna Insight:
33% of Singaporeans rated their social well-being as excellent or very good—up from 22% in 2022—highlighting the growing value placed on meaningful connections.
“Community engagement can reduce the risk of mental health issues by 20%.”
5. Educational Shift: Teaching Positivity Early
In 2005, Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Framework, fostering students' social-emotional competencies, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management, and responsible decision-making. This helped build emotional intelligence and resilience.
Building on this foundation, our GENIUS programs, powered by Gallup CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder), became integral to many schools’ yearly curricula over the past decade. Although we have since shifted to corporate organizations, it’s heartening to see educators continue to champion strengths-based learning.
Key MOE Initiatives:
Revised PSLE Scoring System (2021): Transitioned from the T-score system to Achievement Levels (ALs) to reduce fine differentiation among students.
Removal of Secondary School Streaming (2024): Phased out academic streaming, introducing Full Subject-Based Banding.
Reduction of Examinations: Removed mid-year exams for selected levels to alleviate academic pressure.
A Father’s Perspective:
As a father of six, with four children currently in primary and secondary school, I’ve observed firsthand the positive impact of these reforms. My children experience a more balanced education, focusing not only on academics but also on personal growth and well-being. This shift has alleviated many of my initial concerns about academic stress, and I’m encouraged by the holistic development I see in them.
6. Challenges in the Pursuit of Happiness
Despite its success, Singapore faces challenges like stress from a highly competitive culture. The constant pursuit of excellence can lead to burnout if well-being isn’t prioritized.
How Understanding Strengths Helps:
Conflict Management: Recognize when strengths become “overused” that might lead to unintentional friction.
Stress Management: Use strengths to reframe a stressful situation. Example: Using one’s Learner as the motivation to develop yourself in a particular area of work. Or Positivity to encourage the team during a difficult time.
Cigna Insight:
Although stress levels have decreased, 79% of Singaporeans still report feeling stressed—showing that mental health support remains essential.
“Regular mindfulness practice can reduce stress levels by 28%.”
Conclusion: Redefining Success through Well-Being
Singapore’s adoption of positive psychology demonstrates that success isn’t just about economic growth—it’s about cultivating a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. By embracing strengths-based practices at work, in schools, and within communities, the nation is creating a model for a more meaningful future.
“Success is not about perfection—it’s about progress guided by purpose and strengths.”
Lead with Strengths Today
At the heart of a thriving workplace is a strengths-driven culture where people feel valued, empowered, and equipped to grow. If you’re ready to take your organization’s success to the next level through a strengths-based approach, let’s chat!
👉 Contact Us: Learn how our TeamEDGE™ and LeadershipEDGE™ programs can transform your team’s potential through strengths-based leadership and personal development.
Let’s build workplaces where strengths are celebrated, teams are energized, and success is sustainable. Start leading with strengths today.
Written by Jason Ho
Ideation • Strategic • Adaptability • Relator • Self-Assurance
Jason Ho is Southeast Asia's first Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach and a key opinion leader in the strengths-based coaching community. As Director and Principal Coach at Strengths School™, Jason has over 14,000 hours of coaching experience, impacting individuals and organizations across Asia. He is passionate about helping people discover and leverage their CliftonStrengths® to achieve lasting, meaningful change. Jason's expertise extends to leadership development, corporate training, and coaching for MNCs, SMEs, educational institutions to name a few. His dynamic approach, combining creativity with deep insights, makes him a sought-after speaker and coach.
