About the session:
This event is an opportunity to see positive psychology in practice, applied in two very different but equally powerful contexts. One session explores how radical kindness can transform workplace culture, while the other shares how a novel intervention supports informal carers to build resilience and self-compassion. Together, these sessions highlight evidence-based strategies that turn theory into meaningful change.
Session 1: Radical Kindness at Work – Christina Baird
Kindness is often misunderstood in professional settings—dismissed as “soft,” optional, or simply taken for granted. Yet research shows kindness is a powerful foundation of workplace success: it enhances wellbeing, strengthens collaboration, deepens engagement, and improves client satisfaction.
Christina will examine the evidence for kindness as an essential element of flourishing workplaces and introduce the Kindness Delta—a concise, memorable model that translates kindness from an abstract ideal into practical, everyday behaviours. Participants will leave with both conceptual insights and practical strategies to activate kindness and become agents of change in their organisations.
Session 2: The Carer Camino – Linda Rowley
The Carer Camino (CC), a novel Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI), aims to bolster caregiving capacity, promoting self-compassion and self-efficacy among informal carers. This presentation shares the experiences of small groups of carers from regional Australia who participated in the CC over a four-year period. Informal caregiving, while providing meaning and fulfilment, often comes with significant challenges, including increased psychological distress, mental health issues and social isolation.
Research supports the potential for PPIs to enhance wellbeing among carers. The CC is a 4 day immersive green walking retreat, that embeds positive psychology concepts into its design and activities, promoting PERMA wellbeing elements. This presentation discusses the application of the PERMA model, and the adaptation of positive psychology practices to support carers. We will also share qualitative insights gathered from post-retreat interviews. This discussion aims to offer valuable learnings for practitioners and researchers interested in effective PPIs for the caregiving community.
Speaker Bios
Christina Baird
Christina is an Auckland-based psychologist and kindness consultant dedicated to helping people and organisations flourish. Her career spans leadership development, aid and development, palliative care, and professional supervision. In 2024, she founded The Kindness Workshop with the vision of sparking a movement of kindness that transforms workplaces. Through coaching, training, and therapy, Christina champions kindness as a powerful, evidence-based foundation for resilience, inclusion, and flourishing at work.
Check out more on christinabaird.co.nz or connect with Linda on LinkedIn or Facebook
Linda Rowley
Linda Rowley is a positive psychology consultant and workplace wellbeing facilitator dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of informal carers. She is recognized for her innovative approach to building wellbeing literacy, empowering caregivers to improve their self-care capacity and sustain their vital roles.
Notably, Linda offers the Carer Camino, a novel four-day green walking retreat that incorporates positive psychology practices and strategies for managing ambiguous loss. Linda’s dynamic approach bridges the gap between knowledge and action, fostering confidence in participants to adopt sustainable wellbeing practices.
Check out more on www.lindarowley.com.au or connect with Linda on LinkedIn or Facebook
Cost
The event is free for NZAPP members and a limited number of guest tickets are available for $25. The recording and slides of the event will only be available to members of NZAPP.
Not already a member? The Association membership is $80 per annum (waged) and $40 (student). To join, click here and take advantage of our free to members annual calendar of events (eight per year).
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