Comments on: The Perils of Pollyanna

By: emotional engagement employees

emotional engagement employees — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:57:03 +0000

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By: Marie-Josee Salvas

Marie-Josee Salvas — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:18:08 +0000

Dave, thank you for offering this perspective. Your article cleverly clarifies the distinction between being smart and being perceived as smart. Smart for me means knowledgeable and capable, but most importantly, perceptive and adaptable. This last piece is dependent on broadening and building “a la Fredrickson” and as you know, it takes positive emotions to get in that zone. According to the article you are referencing, happy people may be perceived as less credible at first glance, but given research proves they are more successful both at work and in their personal lives, they make more money on average and live longer, healthier lives, then the conclusion is clear. Like you, I choose to be smart and happy - regardless of what first impression gloomier individuals may muster!
Cheers!
MarieJ

By: Jeff Dustin

Jeff Dustin — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:28:54 +0000

Christine,

My working definition of “smart”: Intelligence is based on goal obtainment in a specific environment. Monkeys are smart. They can use crude technology to get bananas. People are smarter at banana-gathering because they can use better tools and get higher quality bananas faster and in larger quantity.

Dolphins are smart at getting fish, though idiots at algebra and Impressionist painting. Pollyanna was smart at making people feel good and at persisting but dumb as a pounded thumb at perception management.

Smart people get more of what they want.

By: Christine Duvivier

Christine Duvivier — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:16:31 +0000

Great article, Dave! It’s so true– I find myself downgrading the intelligence of people who come across all chipper and “isn’t everything wonderful” — even though I now go in front of executives with a Pollyanna attitude (by the way, she’s falsely maligned– she was one of my childhood heroines– brave, strong, and smart).

I found myself thinking, “why do we put so much emphasis on being ’smart?’” but realized I put emphasis on intelligence without conscious thought.

Thanks for giving us something to think about.