Keynote speech: “Go with the Flow”: Why positive emotions are a factor in HR success

As part of the DISC’s distance learning course in human resources development, Professor Müller-Seitz gave a keynote speech for the first and third semesters on the topic of “Go with the Flow.” The focus was on the strategic importance of positive emotions in the work context.

The central message: Fun, humor, and joy in the workplace are not just soft feel-good topics but have a measurable impact on business-relevant key figures. Organizations that specifically promote positive emotions benefit from fewer sick days, lower turnover, higher productivity, and increased employee satisfaction, among other things.

For HR managers, personnel development professionals, and executives in particular, this opens up a key lever for sustainably strengthening motivation, loyalty, and performance—and thus systematically supporting value creation.

For practitioners, therefore, positive emotions belong on the strategic HR agenda. Anyone who wants to consistently align personnel development with impact, figures, and organizational performance should actively shape this topic—not leave it to chance.