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February 17, 2005
Attitude: It Makes All the Difference
"Having a positive attitude can motivate you and those around you. People with high self-esteem and a positive outlook are more enthusiastic and productive-qualities that senior management are likely to note when opportunities for advancement arise. On the other hand, negative people deplete energy, de-motivate others and push people away," said Edward T. Reilly, president and CEO of American Management Association. He offers the following advice:
Accept that attitude is a matter of choice. In work and life, we often don't have control of situations, but we can choose how to respond to them. It's your choice to see the glass as half empty or half full.
Consciously decide how to respond to a situation. By doing this, you take responsibility for your actions and the impact on your productivity. Remember that bad stuff happens to everyone, even to good people. So it's not what happens to you in life, but how you respond to it that matters.
Develop a "no problem" attitude. It doesn't take much for a person to handle life-or a job-when everything is going right. It takes a special kind of person to successfully handle a situation when things go wrong. The most valuable members of a team are ones who can look at problems and come up with solutions.
See yourself as having positive qualities. Unsuccessful people don't see or visualize their own capabilities. They don't have a clear, positive self-image. Successful people do.
If a setback occurs, acknowledge it and move on. Learn whatever lessons you can, and then let go of the negative emotions. Move forward.
Acknowledge your negative emotional response-but to yourself. Disappointment is normal, healthy and necessary. But try to keep this self-talk short. The key is to pass through it as fast as possible and not get stuck in it.
Demonstrate your resilience. An unwanted event can get you down but try not to let it influence your behavior. Choose a positive, empowering mindset and take action to overcome the problem. By addressing situations that are stressful, you become proactive and will handle them more professionally.
Be aware of the impact your attitude can have on others. Positive attitudes are contagious. People will be more responsive to you and consequently you'll feel more motivated and productive. If you expect your staff to be upbeat, you have to be upbeat.
Hear what you're saying. Are you putting down others' ideas or otherwise de-motivating the team? Rather, encourage a free flow of ideas. If you have reservations about the team's plan, raise them, but once the direction is set, follow it.
Address others who are negative. If you want to talk to a colleague or staff member about a negative attitude, focus on the behavior and how it impacts your work and the productivity of the team.
Be a positive role model. When employees witness your willingness to contribute extraordinary effort, they are much more willing to go that extra mile.
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