A Ripple Story…

Lucy Booth

Executive Performance, Leadership and Career Strategy Coach and Creative Director,
Evolving HR, a People and Culture Consultancy 

Lucy applies Positive Psychology to reimagine HR, build future-focused workplaces, and help individuals thrive in their careers.

Perth, Australia

Alumni:

🎓 Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing

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

"I had been keen to do the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing since I became aware of it about seven years ago. For me, it was also to have a point of difference in a crowded market."

Finding the space, time, and funds was the challenge! I wanted to do the face-to-face course after two years of online learning and closed borders due to Covid (being Perth-based), so I was excited that all the stars aligned (and the borders opened), allowing me to attend the Byron Bay-based face-to-face course in May 2022.

I knew Sue Langley and her work, as she’d done a strengths-based workshop with a team I joined just after the workshop (unfortunately). Every Monday in the team meeting, they talked about how they were going to use their strengths in their work that week, and it piqued my curiosity! I spent the years prior to the course studying and becoming accredited in things like mediation (NMAS), coaching (ICF), mental health first aid, design thinking and PROSCI change management. So the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing was complementary to all of that as well as my day-to-day work coaching executives, leaders and those considering a career change and running a human resources consulting company focused on “doing HR differently” in a modern and motivating way.

I was interested in building on everything I already knew or had learned and in applying it in my coaching, leadership, and people and culture-focused work. The Diploma level takes dedication, and not many people in Perth in HR or Coaching have the qualification.

 

How was your experience studying this course?

"I loved the course overall and would recommend it."

We had such a nice mix of people from across the world in our course who had a variety of professional and personal backgrounds. There are definitely a few activities that stand out from the six-day face-to-face course – the Helping Hands activity was a game-changer for me, and I got a lot from the forgiveness activity too. The activity where Sue made us go with our 3rd favourite strength was hilarious – yet I can’t give too much away in case potential students are reading this!

It was interesting that different activities resonated for different people – some people loved activities that I found so-so, and vice versa.

The most challenging aspect was the homework – I just didn’t realise that there was going to be so much. A big tip is to do as much as possible of it in the evenings after the course, which is challenging because you’re either tired or want to socialise with your new friends. Still, it keeps it fresh in your mind and makes completing the homework assessments SO much more manageable.

Was the course what I expected? I went in with minimal expectations, so they were definitely exceeded.

 

How has the Diploma helped you spread positive ripples in your world?

"I’m excited to expose others to the learnings and principles of positive psychology."

I was motivated to study for the Diploma because I wanted to integrate the learning into both my personal and professional life. Having this end goal in mind made the assessments easier – it had been a long time between writing essays for assessment!

I am excited about 2023 professionally, as I have partnered with another Diploma graduate in Perth. We spent January 2023 designing a Team Effectiveness and Leadership Workshop series that we are about to roll out for a client.

We’ve incorporated many positive psychology principles and concepts into the workshop series, such as strengths assessments and personal values. We are going to end the series of four workshops using the Helping Hands activity – I can’t wait to see if the improved awareness, cohesion and communication they’ve hopefully developed along the series of workshops help them to succeed and work effectively as a team at this point!

I try to incorporate the learnings into my interactions with people and my personal practices wherever possible. Some things in the course and the assessments have resonated and stuck with me more than others, and I want to periodically refresh my learning (hence why I signed up for the alumni event in March 2023).

Inspired by Lucy's journey of doing HR differently?

Discover how our courses can elevate your coaching, leadership, and people strategy, turning science-backed insights into meaningful, lasting change.

Join our next Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing or Certificate IV in Wellbeing Science intake and start shaping more impactful workplaces and careers.

Enquire here or book a call to learn more.