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A self-facilitated program to boost your mental fitness for personal and professional growth
A self-facilitated mental fitness program with exclusive pricing for 2 to 25 individuals
Explore coach-led mental fitness programs with workshops tailored to your organization
King County’s Department of Natural Resources & Parks serves a vast and diverse community, ensuring that parks, natural resources, and essential services support residents’ well-being. However, like many public-sector organizations, DNRP faces challenges with employee engagement, workplace culture, and leadership development.
King County implemented the Positive Intelligence (PQ) Program to address these issues, equipping leaders and employees with mental fitness tools to reduce stress, improve team collaboration, and create a more engaged workplace.
The results are transformative, with leaders advocating for expanded adoption of PQ-Powered Teams to sustain long-term cultural change.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, King County saw decreased workplace morale, engagement, and psychological safety. Employees reported lower well-being and higher workplace stress, which affected leadership effectiveness and organizational culture. Leaders knew these trends could have lasting negative effects if they didn’t intervene.
PQ presented an opportunity to address stress and conflict resolution and develop stronger, more resilient leadership across departments.
Doug Hodson, Deputy Director, King County Parks & Recreation Division
King County started small to roll out PQ effectively, learned from early cohorts, and refined the approach before scaling. One of the most critical lessons was ensuring that Pods (accountability and support groups) remained small enough for deep engagement while also providing a structured but flexible experience.
Early cohorts prioritized leadership participation to ensure that the cultural shift started from the top. By structuring Pods to maintain psychological safety, employees felt comfortable being vulnerable and working through challenges together. This approach maximized impact and set the foundation for long-term success.
Stef Frenzl, Organizational Change Team Lead, King County
The results are clear: employees participating in PQ feel more engaged, handle stress better, and improve their effectiveness.
Evaluations show that even months after completing the program, participants continued to apply PQ strategies in their daily work and personal lives. This lasting impact reinforces the value of PQ as a long-term investment in employee well-being and organizational success.
Stef Frenzl, Organizational Change Team Lead, King County
92
%
strengthened their emotional intelligence
88
%
optimized their mental and emotional energy
85
%
improved their stress management
84
%
improved their conflict management
68
%
enhanced their ability to coach and inspire others
63
%
improved their work relationships
My productivity and focus have increased as the overthinking has decreased – very grateful for this!
This program gave me permission to let go of narratives that did not serve me or my work team.
My overall experience has lessened my reactivity and stress levels.
Highly recommend to anyone wanting to improve relationships with themselves and others.
The PQ techniques create a practical framework that I’ve been able to use to incorporate mindfulness, presence, and meditation into my everyday life.
Wonderful experience! Really helped me to look at things in a different light and focus on healing myself.
I think this training provides great benefits both personal and professional.
Great tool to develop self-awareness with your inner energy to improve your daily life.
I have learned skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my career, and the rest of my personal life.
Beyond leadership development and workplace culture, Positive Intelligence has played a critical role in high-stakes projects, including the King County Parks Levy — a voter-approved funding measure that accounts for 80-85% of the department’s budget.
A small team of PQ-trained leaders has been at the heart of planning the next six-year levy proposal. Unlike past cycles, where stress and burnout were common, this team has used PQ principles to maintain trust, collaboration, and resilience throughout the complex, high-pressure process.
Doug Hodson, Deputy Director, King County Parks & Recreation Division
With clear benefits emerging from the initial implementation, King County leadership is now actively advocating for broader adoption of the PQ Program. Leaders see PQ as a key driver for sustained cultural change, not just a one-time training program.
By expanding the PQ Program, King County aims to deepen collaboration, enhance trust, and integrate mental fitness into daily operations. Leaders believe that by embedding PQ into team dynamics, the entire organization can operate with greater alignment, resilience, and shared accountability.
Doug Hodson, Deputy Director, King County Parks & Recreation Division
One of the most compelling aspects of PQ is its ability to improve workplace and personal relationships. Employees who complete the program report better communication, stronger relationships with their families, and reduced stress in their daily lives.
This whole-person impact sets PQ apart from traditional leadership programs. The skills learned in PQ enhance professional effectiveness — and create a foundation for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Stef Frenzl, Organizational Change Team Lead, King County
The PQ Program at King County has proven its effectiveness, delivering measurable improvements in leadership, collaboration, and employee well-being.
Stef Frenzl, Organizational Change Team Lead, King County
Positive Intelligence delivers a mental fitness program to help individuals, teams, and organizations achieve their full potential for performance and happiness.
The PQ Program is simple to promote, implement, and scale with the help of the dedicated Positive Intelligence Client Success Team.
