The Power of Positivity in your Communications

We’ve just finished the first month of the year and – as is often said – it certainly felt like January had WAY more than its 31 days as we collectively crawled towards payday.

On top of this, 2026 has, once again, begun with a feeling that the world is in a pretty precarious state.

Geopolitics can be overwhelming, depressing and ‘climate anxiety’ (the feeling that we’ve ruined the planet and are all doomed…) is very real indeed, as I know firsthand.

BUT…

Whilst this might be how we feel, individually, it’s important that we do our best to guard against this mentality creeping into the workplace… and our organisation’s communications.

A couple of examples, which trace back to work we’ve done previously.

Example 1: A park charity hosts regular litter-picks. These are well attended, lots of litter is collected and the group wants to share the results on social media.

Doom & gloom
Look at this mess ☹ We cannot believe how many inconsiderate people throw litter, ruining our local environment. This is so disappointing and makes us wonder why we bother. Please help us clear up this mess at our next litter-pick. (accompanied by pictures of litter and fly tipping)

Positive
20 bags collected today and our park is looking so much cleaner! It’s only a tiny minority of people who drop litter and it took just an hour of our time to collect it. Free tea and biscuits made it all the more satisfying. Fancy joining us next time? (accompanied by pictures of full bags and happy volunteers enjoying a brew).

Q: Which post would be more likely to encourage you to volunteer with this group?

Example 2: A local authority transport team has been tasked with encouraging daily commuters to switch from car use to active travel (walking, cycling), or public transport.

Doom & gloom
Emissions from cars are harming people’s health and the environment. Do you want your family and friends breathing in fumes, every day? Don’t be part of the problem. Walk, cycle and use public transport whenever you can and help us make the daily commute better for all. (accompanied by pictures of car exhausts, fumes and coughing children).

Positive
Did you know…?
• Walking and cycling are fantastic ways to improve your physical and mental health!
• Using public transport can save you a small fortune in fuel and parking costs alone!
Why not join the revolution, leave the car at home for a month… and see the difference?
(accompanied by pictures of a happy cyclist breezing past rush hour traffic).

Q: Which post would be more likely to encourage you to consider your travel behaviour?

OK.

We know these are over-simplified examples, and that there will be occasions where the carrot / stick approach isn’t always possible.

Arguably, the ‘shock factor’ of children inhaling smoke could carry more weight.

However, they hopefully demonstrate the fact that subtle differences in language and imagery, can make a HUGE difference to the reader.

Both sets of posts are seeking the same outcome, but one accentuates the positives… and we know from experience that people are far more likely to engage with – and respond to – positive posts, than they are to negative ones.

If you don’t believe us, try it yourself.

You might be surprised.