From Research to Practice: Ross Students Reflect on CPO’s Thriving Accelerators

Through interactive workshops, small-group discussions, and practical exercises, the accelerators introduce students to research-backed tools for building more positive, resilient, and meaningful organizations.

In this Q&A, two Ross School of Business students share what they learned through CPO’s Thriving Accelerators, what surprised them about the experiences, and how the programs shaped their thinking about leadership, collaboration, and creating environments where everyone can be at their best.

Robbie Hable, EMBA ’26

Career interest: Entrepreneurship and biofuels

Which Thriving Accelerator did you participate in? How was your experience, and what did you get to do?

I participated in the “A Framework for Thriving Organizations” accelerator. It was a small evening workshop held virtually over Zoom. The group included students at different stages, from first-year students interested in human resources careers to Executive MBA students who wanted to learn more about CPO and the Thriving Catalyst Endorsement Program.

We started by learning some foundational concepts, including the difference between “languishing” and “thriving” at both the individual and organizational levels. From there, we broke into smaller groups to discuss how those ideas show up in real organizations and how we could apply them in our own academic, professional, and personal experiences.

Overall, it was a thoughtful and engaging experience. I appreciated that the accelerator combined research-based concepts with practical conversation, so we weren’t just learning definitions — we were thinking about how to recognize thriving organizations and how to help create those conditions in the future.

What kinds of skills did you get to apply and develop through this program?

I applied and developed my communication and leadership skills. A major focus of the accelerator was understanding how strong teams are created through three key drivers: high-quality relationships, positive emotions, and meaningful purpose. The workshop helped me think more intentionally about how I communicate with others, how I contribute to a team environment, and how leaders can create conditions where people feel connected, motivated, and supported.

Did anything surprise you about the Thriving Accelerator?

What surprised me most about the Thriving Accelerator was its strong grounding in data and research. I expected to learn useful concepts about positive organizations, but I was impressed by how much scientific evidence has been used to test, prove, and validate the principles we discussed. That research-based approach gave me more confidence in applying what I learned to my own work and teams.

What was your biggest takeaway, and why would you recommend CPO’s Thriving Accelerators to others?

My biggest takeaway from CPO and the Thriving Accelerator was the value of having organized, research-based frameworks for topics that can otherwise feel abstract or ambiguous — things like positive emotions, thriving, flourishing, and organizational well-being. The structure of the accelerator made those concepts easier to understand, remember, and apply in my day-to-day work.

I would recommend the Thriving Accelerators to Ross students because I find CPO’s work on positive organizational practices incredibly valuable. In fact, CPO was one of the reasons I chose Ross for my EMBA, because of how its programming and approach to business differed from my previous engineering education. As someone with an engineering background, I’ve spent much of my career in environments that are highly results- and process-driven. CPO helped me see how I can bring a more creative, collaborative, and human-centered leadership style to that field.

Zachary Sieloff, BBA ’27

Career interest: Business strategy and analytics

Which Thriving Accelerator did you participate in? How was your experience, and what did you get to do?

I’ve participated in multiple CPO Thriving Accelerators. I first got involved during my first year in fall 2023, when I was looking for ways to engage on campus beyond my classes. I found the Center for Positive Organizations and thought it would be a great opportunity to learn how to bring positivity into the organizations and communities I’m part of, both at the University of Michigan and in my future career.

The first accelerator I attended was called “Accelerate Your Professional Relationships,” which focused on networking, building relationships, and connecting with other students. Soon after, I participated in “Accelerate Your Community,” where we explored how people can support one another in mutually beneficial ways. I’ve also attended Thriving Catalysts forums, where I’ve heard from researchers about their work and learned more about how research connects to real-world organizational experiences.

The accelerators usually combine two parts: first, learning about the research behind a topic, and then practicing applying it through activities. For example, in the Accelerate Your Community accelerator, we worked in small groups, and each wrote down a goal. Then we shared our goals with one another and identified ways we could help each other — whether that meant offering advice, sharing a connection, or providing another form of support. It was a simple activity, but it showed how quickly people can take action to help each other when given the right space and opportunity.

What kinds of skills did you get to apply and develop through this program?

I developed several skills through the Thriving Accelerators, especially communication, relationship-building, and leadership. The programs helped me think more intentionally about how to ask for things, connect with people in small groups, and build meaningful relationships over time. I’ve met other students through these experiences, and I still say hi to them in the halls; those small connections really matter.

I also learned how to introduce concepts such as psychological safety and positivity into group settings. I’m more aware of how to ensure people feel comfortable contributing, how to be a positive influence on a team, and how that can lead to stronger collaboration and better outcomes. That has helped me in classes, group projects, and my on-campus job. 

Another skill I developed was analytical thinking. The accelerators were grounded in research, so we didn’t just talk about abstract ideas — we looked at data, evidence, and studies, and then discussed how to apply those ideas in real situations, which helped me to think more analytically.

Did anything surprise you?

One thing that surprised me was how much the accelerators became an entry point into a larger community. I initially started attending them because I was looking for something meaningful to get involved in, but that experience opened the door to many more opportunities, including staying connected with CPO and even finding a teaching assistant position.

I was also surprised by just how positive and welcoming the environment was. Everyone was there to learn, connect, and think about how to make the communities and organizations they’re part of better. That kind of energy made the experience really enjoyable.

What was your biggest takeaway, and why would you recommend CPO’s Thriving Accelerators to others?

My biggest takeaway is that you can bring positivity and meaningful change into any group or organization you’re part of. Whether it’s a class project, a student organization, a workplace, or even a group of friends, there are tools and practices that can help people work together better. 

I would recommend CPO’s Thriving Accelerators because the skills they teach are useful no matter what field someone is going into. Everyone will work in groups and organizations at some point, whether they’re interested in finance, entrepreneurship, analytics, or something else entirely. Learning how to communicate, build relationships, create psychological safety, and be a positive influence is transferable across all of those paths.