LA Rams harness the power of positive thinking to win SB LVI

The LA Rams saw a victory in Super Bowl LVI, and then made it happen. Doubt that? Well, we have a number of phrases to describe the phenomenon. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. Karma. The Power of Positive Thinking. In terms of industry, motivational speakers earn approximately $2.0 billion per year. So either there are a lot of folks getting ripped off royally, or there is something to all of this.

Well, the LA Rams are betting on the latter. Justin Bariso of Inc.com covered the LA Rams’ use of positive psychology to create a better winning environment for Super Bowl LVI.

The premise of positive psychology is not buried in Bariso’s article. Rather he gets right to it in his eighth paragraph. In his article, he defines the rule of positive psychology as:

"‘When you build an environment focused on nurture, positive reinforcement, and highlighting strengths and potential, you help people to be the best version of themselves.’ – per Justin Bariso via The Los Angeles Rams Used a Simple Rule of Psychology to Win the Super Bowl"

And so, the LA Rams have learned to harness positivity. Does it work? Well, the results of winning Super Bowl LVI are undeniable. So how does this work?

Well, like any discipline, there are guidelines or rules to govern actions.

Help-first rule:
Prioritize helping someone else before helping yourself.

Recognition rule
Notice what others do well, and then let them know about it.

Convert critical into constructive criticism rule
Simply ask: Can I share some constructive criticism?

Disagree and then commit rule:
Allow for honest and free disagreement. But after deciding, everyone must commit fully to making it work.

Reappraisal rule
Like climbing a mountain, the road to the top can seem endless and filled with peril. So stop occasionally,  pause, and look how far you’ve climbed already.

In basic layman’s terms, the LA Rams ‘willed it into being’. But many of the steps cited here are no different than the standard practice in an accounting firm, a law office, an investment firm, a retail store, or even a fast-food restaurant. It’s simply how we manage to show respect in an organization that must adhere to one plan but encourages open and honest communication from staff.

The difference? Only 3.5 percent of the organizations in the NFL actually succeed each year. So any method used to allow a team to reach that pinnacle should be used and replicated. The LA Rams envisioned a victory in Super Bowl LVI, and then made it happen. Can they do it again?

I’m certain of it. (See what I did there?)