Author: Louis J. Alloro, M.Ed., MAPP

04 Mar

Posted at 14:32h in Events, PhD Life by

          In response to the continuing failure of many research-based interventions to create systems change at scale, I am happy to announce a new initiative – The Change Lab – I’ve co-founded with Michelle McQuaid and Michelle Etheve.The Change Lab hosts conversations that challenge and amplify frameworks, tools and best practices which increase our confidence, motivation, and impact as change-agents working powerfully together in beloved community. We will re run the Certificate In Creating Positive Change – a twelve-week online experience beginning March 17. If you’ve been trying to help people, teams, workplaces, schools, or entire communities to create positive changes and feel that...

09 Sep

Posted at 11:44h in Events, PhD Life by

            This summer I attended the Sixth World Congress on Positive Psychology in Melbourne, Australia. I gleaned many insights, strengthened old and made new connections, spoke on several panels, won the positive organizational intervention challenge award. Colleagues and I created a high-tech and high-touch system called “Feedforward” to help organizations step up how they have development conversations that actually work. I also got clearer on my own research agenda for the PhD I’m working on to build systems-informed positive psychology. My research serves to enhance the efficacy of positive interventions and increase our collective social impact. Social impact is anything that improves...

10 May

Posted at 17:22h in Blog by

It’s been nine months since I moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles…county. Aside from the transition to a new coast, new state, new lifestyle (doctoral student in positive organizational psychology at Claremont Graduate University in a suburb of LA) — everything is great (read with slight hyperbole and humor). As I say to my mom when she asks, “How are you?” —Mostly good. There is a reason why moving is as traumatic as death and divorce. It’s because relationships change in these transitions and as social creatures, we need time to adjust. Many philosophers, theologians and scientists alike write about the power of...

03 Jan

Posted at 20:57h in Uncategorized by

Here we are at another New Year. Moving right along - - or maybe - - we choose to slow down a bit. Let’s have a mindful transition and maybe even the type of milestone celebration that is meaningful, fun and impactful . . . intentional. An intention can be simple and ought to be positive, aspirational – even affirmational. I intend for 2019 to be an amazingly fantastic year – fulfilling and full of love and light. As Maya Angelou once said, “Why not? I’ve never experienced this one before.” It’s seems that we’re all in agreement that the older...

03 Jan

Posted at 12:36h in Uncategorized by

How do we really create positive change in our lives and in our organizations? This topic has been taken up in many disciplines from sociology and psychology to management science and organizational behavior. Six Sigma, Gap analysis, and Threat Analysis all propose that the most effective way to change is to look into what’s wrong and find solutions (or consultants with solutions) to fix our problems. Such processes are reactive, evoke negative emotions at the start, and are limited in terms of ultimate innovation and change (Fredrickson, 2009). Humans, like all animals, have evolved with a strong negativity bias (Baumeister...

29 Dec

Posted at 11:58h in Uncategorized by

Prepared by Louis Alloro, M.ED., MAPP The task of leadership is to create an alignment of strengths, making our weaknesses irrelevant. –Peter Drucker Last week, we introduced the foundations of strengths-based development to help your team understand their individual strengths profiles. Remember strengths are not the same as talents which Gallup defines as natural ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving -- themes. Talents include activities that provide satisfaction and delight and therefore more engagement, productivity and even happiness. Talents are neutral, but how we choose to apply them can turn those talents into a positive--which we call a strength. Remember, though there’s always...

27 Nov

Posted at 09:38h in Uncategorized by

Prime others for Positivity by asking questions like “What’s good?” “What’s working?” “What’s been a highlight of your week? This project?” This counters our negativity bias which is supported in much social science research. Then, practice Active-Constructive Responding (ACR), a method of communication in which the responder conveys authentic interest and helps the person to elaborate his or her positive experience. There are four ways people tend to respond when others share a positive experience: Active Constructive, Active Destructive, Passive Constructive, Passive Destructive.   Constructive Destructive Active Active Constructive Authentic and enthusiastic support; asking for details and leads to capitalizing: “Tell me more!” Active Destructive Quashing...

04 Nov

Posted at 10:20h in change-agent, Glimpse into Me, Love, Social-Emotional Leadership, SOMO Leadership by

In the past few months, there has been lots of transition and change. I started a new decade and moved to a new coast, a new city and a new life, really—from teacher to student again—this time for a PhD in applied positive psychology. It’s taken me a minute to get my feet wet, adjust to a new life(style), and find my new normal. Of course, I'm still missing my east coast family and friends.  I forgot how traumatic bold transitions can be. When I give myself the permission to be human, I let my process continue to unfold exactly...

04 Sep

Posted at 10:38h in Glimpse into Me, PhD Life by

I don’t use the word “epic” often, but it is perfect to describe the 3,500-mile cross-country road trip journey-odyssey-pilgrimage I made from Philadelphia to California this past month.  Three-and-a-half of us (my cockapoo Ryder in tow also) traveled through twelve states in ten days. It was really such a beautiful way to see my home country and get to know friends on a deeper level. It also gave me time to grieve what I’m losing in this move, and pause to consider what I’m gaining, as I transition to life in California to be a doctoral student in psychology. The...

16 Jul

Posted at 08:54h in Glimpse into Me, Positive Psychology by

I’ll begin my studies at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) in Claremont, CA this September. I’ll live in Pomona which is a mile from the University-- halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. I’m excited and nervous and happy and sad – all the feels going on right now as Ryder and I prepare to close out life in Philadelphia and head out west to start a new chapter. I’ve always known I’d get a doctorate – even from a very young age when I would think about PhD I’d get an intuitive feeling in my body of knowing that would one...

Top