Abstract
This chapter presents an empirical study using a qualitative research process through semi-structured interviews to interview 20 managers working full-time in large organizations, assessing the manifestation of flow and grit and measuring the role of resilience in the manifestation. They practiced meditation daily, which was used as a facilitator of positivity. It indicated that mind training, such as meditation, makes it easier to augment resilience while developing grit and flow, imbibing positivity in the process. From the pattern of interview findings, the grit-flow questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire is significant as a practical application in assessing whether leaders' or potential leaders' people management capability has positive leadership or can develop positivity and the effectiveness of wellbeing and health enhancement programs to develop or measure positivity. This questionnaire adds to research and analysis of grit, flow, resilience, and positive psychology on the whole and their relationships.
TopIntroduction
The study outlines the development of a tool which assesses the grit-flow relationship. Grit and flow are related, with flow acting as the building block for grit (Barua, 2020). Grit and flow are positive in nature and form a key component of positive psychology (Von Culin et al., 2014; Csíkszentmihalyi, 2000). Positive psychology is defined as the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life (Seligman & Csíkszentmihalyi, 2000). Grit is a non-cognitive trait that accounts for successful outcomes and high achievement (Duckworth et al., 2007). It falls under effort trait and entails having a dominant superordinate goal and tenaciously working towards it in the face of obstacles and setbacks, often for years or decades (Duckworth et al., 2015; Duckworth & Gross, 2014). Flow is a state of optimal experience (Csíkszentmihalyi & Csíkszentmihalyi, 1988; Smith et al., 2012). It acts as a natural mediator in the relationship between positive leadership and positive psychology and promotes both (Csikszentmihalyi, 2002; Fredrickson, 2001; Lewis, 2011; Luthans & Avolio, 2009). One of the indications of prolonged regular practice of meditation is the manifestation of flow, as an optimum outcome in the meditator (Baccarani et al., 2013). Resilience is a mental process of applying positive adaptation while facing significant adversity (Luther, 2006). It is a dynamic process occurring under specific circumstances (Fleming & Ledogar, 2008).
Meditation is mind training where mindfulness is practiced consciously as a prolonged regular practice by focusing on attention (Baccarani et al., 2013) and develops mental discipline by protracting that state of awareness (Kabat-Zinn, 2013) through concentration. It facilitates intellectual stimulation affecting positive attributes like flow (Kabat-Zinn, 2013). The basic outcome of practicing the various types of meditation is attention and focus rippling through to mindfulness (Thich, 1998; Goenka, 2000; Kabat-Zinn 2013; Kabat-Zinn, 1990; Yogi, 1977). Since meditation had an established relationship with the flow, it was used as a facilitator to assess its relationship with both – grit and flow (Barua, 2020) resulting in the development of G-FQ.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Positive Psychology: A branch of psychology is focused on the character strengths and behaviors that allow individuals to build a life of meaning and purpose. Its objective is to move beyond surviving to flourishing.
Mediator: An intermediary or intervening variable that plays a role resulting in an observed relation between two other variables.
Questionnaire: Questionnaire is an assessment tool. Assessment tools are instruments to evaluate abilities, achievement, interests, behaviour and personality.
Perseverance: Perseverance is an attribute that comes from pursuing a course of action or keeping at a task and finishing it despite the obstacles, challenges and opposition faced and the effort involved as well as the duration of time.
Attributes: A quality or property of a person, sensation, or object. Attribute/s are characteristics that are inherently evident or developed through certain practices and/or training.
Positivity: An internal feeling of state occurs when a goal has been attained, a threat is thwarted, satisfied with the present state of affairs as a result of behaviour(s) and/or action(s) having positive affect.
Mental Process: A process that occurs in the mind to strategize to form mental maps.
Meditation: A practice followed to train the mind to develop attention, focus, and concentration. There are many forms of meditation practices. All forms of meditation practices are based on attention, concentration, and focus. It is a profound and extended contemplation or reflection in order to achieve focused attention or altered state of consciousness and to gain insight into oneself and the world. Traditionally associated with spiritual and religious exercises, meditation is now also used to provide relaxation and relief from stress.
Mental State: A state of mind that influences the ecology of the mind to function and respond to stimuli.