A Masterclass in Positive Provocation | Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener

When you hear the word provoke what do you think of?

What about the word provocative?

For many (including myself)

This idea, of provocation, often holds a negative connotation.

Look it up in the dictionary and you’ll even see one definition that reads:

Purposefully stirring up a fight.

But as you can imagine there’s a very different form of provocation. 

One that when harnessed can:

• stimulate curiosity, 
• open us to new perspectives and outside-the-box ideas, 
• and one that ultimately invites  us to see our work, relationships, and the world we live in with fresh eyes. 

It’s a thrill to have Dr. Robert Biswas-Deiner on the show today as we explore this alternative form of provocation and fresh thought-provoking ideas inspired by his latest book: Positive Provocation: 25 Questions to Elevate Your Coaching Practice.


In today’s episode:

• Robert’s story about how he came to be doing the work he is engaged in today as a coach, trainer, researcher, and author. Including making a very tough decision to drop out of graduate school. 
• The details surrounding an invitation Robert received to be The Provocateur for an international coaching conference.
• How he defines Positive Provocation and what key elements support doing it well, both at work and in life.
• What he calls the 90 degree view - a sweet spot for inviting people into curiosity, and rethinking conventional ideas.
• Intriguing stories from coaching sessions, that offer insight into what he’s learned about the art of challenging people effectively.
• How to stay open to being positively provoked, including the importance of cultivating intellectual humility.
• How research on the psychology of hospitality ties into being a positive provocateur.

If you found today’s conversation interesting, I would encourage you to check out Robert’s new book, Positive Provocation where you can learn more about this approach, and see how he puts it into practice.

Did you find today’s conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you’ll love:

• Practicing the Art of Principled Rebellion | Dr. Todd Kashdan
• Gentle Power: Shifting the Way We Define True Strength | Dr. Elisabet Lahti

More about Robert:

Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is widely known as the “Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology” because his research has taken him to such far-flung places as Greenland, India, Kenya, and Israel. He is a leading authority on strengths, culture, courage, and happiness and known for his pioneering work in the application of positive psychology to coaching. Robert has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed academic articles and chapters, two of which are “citation classics” (cited more than 1,000 times each). Dr. Biswas-Diener has authored eight books, including the New York Times Best Seller, The Upside of Your Dark Side. For more about Robert please visit robertdiener.com, and if you’re a coach looking for more details on Robert’s coach trainings and classes check out positiveacorn.com

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