Most people don’t leave their place of work because of the work itself. They leave because they’re burnt out, stuck, or starting to feel like what they do doesn’t really matter. We see it all the time, talented, driven people who care about what they do, but who feel overwhelmed, undervalued, or out of alignment with their role or the direction of their team. And when that happens, it doesn’t just affect the individual. It ripples through projects, teams, and client outcomes.

At its core, people want to feel like they’re making a difference. They want to grow, to contribute, and to know that their work has purpose. When those needs aren’t met, motivation drops, communication breaks down, and performance suffers, no matter how skilled or experienced the team is. In fact, research shows that the meaningfulness of work plays a vital role in improving employee engagement and commitment. Engaged employees aren’t just more motivated—they deliver better outcomes across the board.

That’s where coaching, underpinned by positive psychology, can make a real difference.

Rather than focusing on what’s wrong, positive psychology coaching helps people reconnect with what’s strong. It gives them space to pause, reflect, and get clear on what really matters, their values, strengths, and goals. As Martin Seligman, a pioneer of positive psychology, explains:

“By activating an expansive, tolerant, and creative mindset, positive feelings maximise the social, intellectual, and physical benefits that will accrue.”

It’s not fluffy. It’s practical, human, and grounded in research. And in busy, high-pressure environments, it’s often exactly what’s needed to help people get unstuck and move forward with clarity.

At Answer Digital, we’re bringing this approach into our delivery capability. We’re using positive psychology coaching to give our delivery leads space for them to think more deeply and understand themselves on a deeper level and how they approach solving problems. It’s helping people step back from the noise and reflect on how they lead, how they communicate, and how they can grow, not just as professionals, but as people.

And when people feel empowered to lead in ways that align with who they are, everything changes. A recent study of UK teams showed that positive leadership led to measurable improvements in engagement, with “positive affect” acting as the key driver.

As a result people feel seen and heard. They feel empowered to lead in ways that are aligned with who they are. Engagement increases, resilience improves, and the ripple effect is better outcomes across the board.

Coaching isn’t about fixing people, it’s about investing in them. Giving them the time, space, and support to reflect, grow, and lead with purpose. And when we grow our people, everything else grows too, delivery, culture, and impact.

About the author:

Laura Russ is a Senior Delivery Lead with over five years’ experience delivering projects across both public and private sectors, most recently leading digital transformation in Public Health. She believes that success at work shouldn’t come at the cost of happiness or mental health. With a passion for Positive Psychology and coaching, Laura focuses on building teams that feel supported, empowered, and set up to succeed, both in their work and their wellbeing.