In a post from the archive, psychologist Shawn Achor demonstrates why working in a positive culture is so valuable. Our brains are designed to work much better when they are in a positive state as opposed to a negative or neutral one. We find that when people are positive, it raises their productivity rate by 31 percent compared to when they’re in a negative state of mind. Salespeople sell 37 percent more than their negative counterparts. Even doctors perform diagnoses 19 percent more accurately when they’re positive. So why does a positive environment matter so much? The research suggests it’s related to how dopamine is released in the brain when an individual is in a positive state of mind. The brain can access all kinds of creativity, activate learning centers, and provide motivational energy when dopamine is naturally released in a positive state. And positive brains see more possibilities, and productivity rises. Does your office culture help create a positive state of mind for your agents? Are you mindful of working to keep your team positive, regardless of current stressors? If you want to attract and retain the best and the brightest, it’s a worthy goal.