Six Tips to Help Leaders Stay Positive
We all know people who seem to complain about everything.
And we all know people who seem to always have a positive attitude. Which type would you rather work with? It’s an easy choice: “Negative Nellies” and “Pitiful Pauls” are exhausting to be around.
One of the best ways a leader can promote dignity is to be upbeat even when things are going poorly.
When the leader has a deep regard for the value and worth of every member of the team, no one tries to get ahead by throwing someone else under the bus. Everyone is motivated to treat others with the same respect the leader has afforded them. People feel comfortable and worthy.
Yet most of us have worked in organizations where there is a negative culture: a lack of trust and lots of blame.
We know how destructive these organizations can be. People don’t want to stay in an organization with a negative culture and they rarely give their best. High employee turnover in these organizations says a lot about the culture of a business.
So, the best business leaders create organizations that are positive.
These organizations are future-oriented and focused on opportunity. They consider problems as occasions for learning, rather than as failures deserving shame and blame. It is rewarding to work in a positive environment.
How does a leader stay positive, especially when there are plenty of people screaming “the sky is falling?” Here are six tips:
Don’t go there…refuse to agree with the naysayers.
Lift up, don’t put down…say positive things about people, highlight their contributions.
When a problem is identified, actively explore the possibilities it offers for positive change.
Remind yourself and others of the good things your team has accomplished.
Be grateful for those you lead and thank them often for their efforts.
Surround yourself with positive people who look for possibilities and stay hopeful.
It’s easy to find problems. The best leaders find possibilities.
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And that’s The Gist of It™ - Ideas to advance dignity, practice humility, and develop leaders of character and integrity.
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Marilyn Gist, PhD