Optimists are in demand, especially in the workplace. It can be lovely to work with people who are cheerful and chipper and who brighten up a social environment with their positive attitude.

A generally upbeat atmosphere in the office can boost the mood of others, make collaboration feel easier, and promote a creative and open environment.

A positive outlook has clear benefits, but not everyone is cheerful all the time—and that’s perfectly fine. People vary in how much they express their emotions, and not everyone needs to be highly expressive to contribute positively.

The broaden-and-build theory shows that positive emotions help us see more possibilities and make better decisions. This doesn’t mean everyone should force constant cheerfulness. A workplace can still be productive and creative even if not everyone is visibly upbeat all the time. What matters is building an environment where optimism can thrive naturally without forcing it.

While genuine happiness is great, faking it does not provide the same benefits. No one is happy all the time, and it’s unrealistic to expect constant cheerfulness. Just as excessive stress limits our creativity, faked happiness can narrow a person’s focus instead of broadening their perspective. It’s often referred to as toxic positivity.

Toxic positivity is the pressure to stay upbeat and optimistic no matter what, to the point where it becomes........

© Psychology Today