Anna Broadhead

Anna Broadhead

Business Consulting Industry

Shellharbour, Australia

Alumni: Wollongong, Australia

In our 11069NAT Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing we always talk about the ripple effect; starting with self and creating a ripple out there in the world - whatever that may mean for each person.

In this interview, a graduate of our Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing shares how her learning journey led to co-founding a company that supports leaders and HR professionals in building healthier, compliant, and more productive workplace environments!

What drew you to complete the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing?

When I completed my Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, I was an Organisational Change Manager. My role involved leading a team of HR and change professionals who specialised in managing the people side of change and worked on various projects.

I was in a state of both personal and professional change. I had a young family with one child on the way and was looking to further my education. The year prior, I had completed my studies in Change Management to support a merger and acquisition that the company I was working with was going through. This transition period was intense, yet it was also a time of growth and learning.

My primary goal was to deliver better outcomes internally in my role as an Organisational Change Manager and to understand the resistance that was being experienced by the workforce. To achieve this, I aimed to enhance my knowledge of positive psychology and integrate evidence-based wellbeing strategies into our organisational practices. I wanted to expand our internal initiatives, particularly in leadership development and employee wellbeing, to support our leaders and people more effectively.

I have always had an interest in wellbeing, mindfulness, and yoga. During the transition period at my previous company, the Langley Group was engaged to provide staff training on Leading Through Change, which covered human science, behaviour and elements of emotional intelligence. This training fascinated me and sparked a deep desire to learn more about how our brains work. I was particularly interested in understanding how positive psychology principles could be applied to improve workplace culture and employee engagement and enhance individual and organisational wellbeing.

How was your experience of the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing?

Completing the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing was a transformative experience for me. Throughout the course, there were several 'ah ha' moments that profoundly impacted my understanding and approach to both my professional and personal life.

The most interesting aspect of the course was the deep dive into human strengths and virtues. Understanding how to identify and cultivate these strengths within myself and others was incredibly empowering and something that I talk about daily in my business. It provided practical tools for enhancing resilience, wellbeing, and performance, both personally and professionally.

I really enjoyed the comprehensive research into mindfulness and its impact on wellbeing. The practices and principles of mindfulness improved my personal meditation practice and also became integral to the mindfulness meditation programmes I went on to run as part of my own business.

Reflecting on my own relationships with family and friends during the course was particularly enlightening. The insights I gained into positive communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence helped me to nurture and strengthen these relationships. Additionally, the parenting aspect was significantly enhanced as I applied positive psychology principles to foster a supportive and nurturing environment for my children. These tools helped me to be more present, patient, and responsive as a parent.

The course exceeded my expectations in many ways. While I anticipated learning about the theoretical foundations of positive psychology, I was pleasantly surprised by the practical applications and experiential learning opportunities. The course provided a comprehensive understanding of how to implement positive psychology principles across both work and life.

How are you spreading your positive ripples, and how has the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing helped you achieve this?

Since completing the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, I have channelled my energy into
co-founding a business that focuses solely on the positive aspects of HR, change and wellbeing in workplaces. Our mission is to identify psychosocial hazards in the workplace and minimise them by creating cultures of safety and care for our clients. This focus has allowed us to support leaders and HR professionals in building healthier, compliant and more productive workplace environments.

My business partner and co-founder Kristy Duffy has also completed this qualification, allowing us to combine our collective 45+ years of corporate HR experience with up-to-date scientific research in positive psychology and wellbeing. Completing the Diploma, coupled with the continued professional development received from Sue Langley and the network of professional alumni we have met along the journey, has strengthened our knowledge in this area and contributed to us becoming a market leader assisting our clients to identify psychosocial hazards in the workplace and minimise them by creating cultures of safety and care for their employees.

My positive ripples have been both tangible achievements and influence-based. Tangibly, we have developed and implemented programmes that have measurably improved employee wellbeing and organisational performance. Influence-based achievements include fostering a culture of empathy, resilience, and strengths-based development within our client organisations. The positive changes in workplace culture and individual growth we have witnessed are a testament to the influence of these principles.

Spreading these positive ripples has been incredibly fulfilling. Seeing the tangible improvements in wellbeing and performance, both in my professional environment and in my personal relationships, has been rewarding. It has given me a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction, knowing that the principles of positive psychology are making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

The Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing has had a profound impact on my life. It has equipped me with practical tools and knowledge to enhance resilience, wellbeing, and performance in both my professional and personal spheres. The course has transformed my approach to leadership, parenting, and personal growth, fostering a more mindful, empathetic, and strengths-focused mindset. Overall, the Diploma has been a catalyst for positive change, enabling me to create and sustain positive ripples in all areas of my life.