Attitudes determine the way we treat people. They affect the way we perceive change. They influence our ability to set and reach goals. As goal seekers each of us wants to achieve certain results from our lives. The results we get depend upon our behavior and attitudes toward the people or events involved, and toward ourselves. If attitudes are basically negative, goals will be set low, and it will be difficult to progress. Growth and promotion will be difficult to achieve until a positive mindset is developed.
You can identify people with negative attitudes by their actions and by their reactions. When presented with a challenge their focus will be on problems: what can't be done and why things won't work. Their discussions often revolve around negative issues and blame. They do not respond well to compliments and will even discount them. However, they remember every one of their failures and mistakes, and this memory stifles much of their activity. These people tend to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
If attitudes are basically positive, individuals will focus on possibilities and ideas for improvement. This will be evident in the way they treat people. They will be very comfortable giving others credit, and their transactions will be directed at making others feel better about themselves. They accept both constructive criticism and compliments with open consideration and appreciation. These people are regularly part of the solution and rarely part of the problem.
It is important to understand that attitudes are developed very early in life. Years of early conditioning develop the attitudes that people carry with them throughout life. Unfortunately, much of early conditioning can be negative: what you can't do, where not to go, etc. For the most part, negative attitudes are more prevalent in our society than positive attitudes. Therefore, people often think of what's wrong, how they might fail, and why it won't work rather than what's good, what's right, and how it can work.
On the positive side, since attitudes are developed, they can be changed. As a leader, you will frequently find yourself in a position to help people develop positive attitudes. The first step is understanding that what took years to develop will also require some time and effort to change. Daily encouragement is important. Positive input on a daily basis will help to replace some of the negative attitudes with positive ones.
There are many ways and opportunities to create a learning organization with a focus on positive attitudes and possibility thinkers. Recognition programs, leadership opportunities, personal mentoring, and corporate coaching are but a few ways to help your team develop the appropriate attitudes focused on goal achievement.
One of the vital contributions a leader can make is instilling the desire and creating the opportunity for continuous improvement. A great resolution for 2017 would be to decide to make your organization a more positive place to work.
