There are dozens of people out there calling themselves wellbeing ‘experts’.
Writing a book (or e-book), or even being a ‘life coach’ does not make a person a wellbeing ‘expert’.
In fact, some recent best-selling books on happiness, positivity, and wellbeing have been written by people with limited or even no relevant qualifications, and no psychological training.
So what does qualify someone to be a wellbeing expert?
Before you hire anyone who wants to talk wellbeing, consider the following points:
Do they have…
- Significant hands-on experience working with lots o findividuals and groups in unique contexts?
- Knowledge of positive psychology theory and principles beyond basic psychology text books and lectures, or a blog they read online?
- Deep content knowledge of human development from a cognitive, emotional, social, and psychological perspective?
- Relevant qualifications in at least one tertiary recognised discipline related to the wellbeing field such as education, psychology or social work? A communications or arts degree (or a diploma of some sort from an online ‘college’) is not enough!
- Ongoing immersion in the wellbeing area so that they have a great understanding of the past, the present and the future of wellbeing theory and practice, particularly in an organisation like yours?
- Acknowledgement and deference from recognised wellbeing professionals for their expertise?
- A wide body of published work related to the area of wellbeing, including scholarly work to show that they understand the science of wellbeing?
- Hands-on experience at the coal-face, with the runs on the board to show they practice what they preach?
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