A Boost When You Need It Most: How the PERMA Model Can Help Teams Tackle Tough Challenges
When teams face complex, high-stakes challenges, it’s easy to get stuck in survival mode—heads down, stress up, and joy long forgotten. But even in the thick of it, there are practical, science-backed ways to lift team wellbeing and reignite the spark that fuels creative problem-solving, collaboration, and resilience.
One of the most useful tools for this is the PERMA model developed by psychologist Martin Seligman. It identifies five key ingredients that support wellbeing and sustainable performance: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
The beauty of PERMA? You don’t need to overhaul your life or your team culture to use it. A few small shifts in attention, reflection, and conversation can make a real difference.
Here’s how your team can use it today—five simple prompts, one for each pillar.
1. POSITIVE EMOTION – “What’s one thing that has made you smile, laugh, or feel grateful in the last few days—and how can we bring more of that into our team space?”
Why it helps: Positive emotion doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff. It means making space for moments that lighten the load. Sharing small joys helps lift collective energy, build emotional resilience, and boost morale—essential ingredients when navigating challenges.
2. ENGAGEMENT – “When have you felt most absorbed or ‘in the zone’ at work recently—and what strengths were you using?”
Why it helps: When people are deeply engaged, they bring their best thinking and energy. Reflecting on flow moments helps individuals reconnect with their unique talents—and helps the team play to one another’s strengths when it matters most.
3. RELATIONSHIPS – “Who in this team (or beyond) helps you feel supported or inspired—and what’s one small way we could strengthen our connections this week?”
Why it helps: Strong relationships buffer stress and build trust. In tough times, leaning into connection instead of pulling away can make all the difference. A coffee chat, a check-in, or a shoutout can go a long way.
4. MEANING – “What part of our work right now feels most meaningful to you—and how can we keep sight of that as a team?”
Why it helps: A shared sense of purpose is a powerful motivator. Reconnecting with the “why” behind your work can create alignment, renew motivation, and help your team rise above the noise of day-to-day pressure.
5. ACCOMPLISHMENT – “What’s one thing we’ve achieved recently—big or small—that we should celebrate?”
Why it helps: Recognising progress fuels momentum. Even small wins deserve acknowledgement, especially during long, complex projects. Celebrating success reminds the team that they are capable and moving forward.
Putting It into Practice
Pick one or two of these questions to explore in your next team meeting, one-on-one, or even in a group chat. You don’t need to cover everything at once—start with what feels most useful.
And if your team’s energy is low or stress is high, consider this your invitation to pause and ask:
“What would PERMA look like for us right now?”
You might be surprised by what you find when you make space for wellbeing—not as an afterthought, but as fuel for getting through what’s hard, together.
To find out more about Soji Team Coaching, reach out to us via info@soji.com.au.
Photo by Christian Linnemann on Unsplash
