Research
The PELS platform is grounded in peer-reviewed research from leading scholars in positive psychology and organizational science.
Systematic Review
A comprehensive systematic review of 18 empirical studies examining how positive leadership characteristics generate relational energy and drive work performance outcomes.
Cabrera, V., Keelin, C., Shapiro, J., & Donaldson, S.I. (2025)
Read more →Foundational Work
The theoretical foundation: the heliotropic effect, virtuous behaviors as the mechanism for generating relational energy, and positive leadership strategies for extraordinary performance.
Cameron, K.S. (2021, 2012)
Read more →Validation Study
The first validated psychometric measure of positively energizing leadership, developed with 603 participants across two independent samples with exceptional reliability (α = .97–.98).
Shea et al.
Read more →Current Research
In ProgressDonaldson and Shea are currently conducting a longitudinal study examining the dynamic relationships between Positively Energizing Leadership, relational energy, and workplace well-being as measured by the PERMA+4 framework. The study also includes an Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis to develop a refined, shortened version of the PELS scale — maintaining psychometric rigor while reducing respondent burden. This ongoing research builds on the original PELS validation work and aims to establish the longitudinal predictive validity of positively energizing leadership on employee flourishing over time.
Donaldson, S.I. & Shea, K.