Positive psychology is a rigorous academic field that encompasses character strengths, positive relationships, positive experiences – and the institutions and practices that facilitate their development. Its defining assertion is simple: Our relationships with each another have a significant impact on our happiness and productivity. It maintains that what goes right in life is just as real and important as what goes wrong — and that we should be just as concerned with developing strengths as we are with repairing weaknesses. Before teaching leadership and psychology at West Point, Mike earned his master’s studying under Dr. Chris Peterson, one of the founders of the field.