No workplace is without its share of negative people; people who not only wallow in negativity but also spread it by complaining, whining, criticising or gossiping. However, one sure way of becoming valued is if you become a person who focuses on the positive. Here’s how to make the switch is you are tired of being negative.
KNOW THE IMPACT OF NEGATIVITY: No workplace is without its share of negative people; people who not only wallow in negativity but also spread it by complaining, whining, criticising or gossiping. Negativity has been proven to poison the work environment, stresses colleagues and breeds pessimism. Don’t be someone who exhausts everyone around by being chronically angry, indignant or focussing on doom.
COMMIT TO BECOMING PART OF THE SOLUTION: When you make this commitment you must stop the complaining, finger pointing and blaming and contribute to finding solutions; you don’t stand back and constantly talk about the problem and expect someone else to do something about it. Don’t dwell on the negative things or exaggerate issues you are facing or make things look worse than they really are.
MAKE A CLEAN BREAK WITH NEGATIVITY: Negative people tend to gravitate towards each other and often form cliques. When you commit to not being negative, you have to stay away from your former fellow complainers. This may not always be possible as you need to work with them. The alternative is to find someone to hold you accountable by drawing your attention to when you default to complaining and whinging. If a negative person comes to you wanting you to lend them an ear listen the first time but make sure not to join to reinforce the negatively. If they come to you again draw a line and disengage.
MAKE POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS: As a member of your workplace it is automatically your responsibility to help improve things; not assume it’s the job of only the managers. Bring your commitment to being positive to life by making some specific practical suggestions especially related to something you are concerned about and which you would have complained about but now have the chance to address more positively. Even if it’s someone’s responsibility specifically to fix something, if it impacts you, it’s always useful to see how you can help rather than criticise others from the sidelines.
ZIP YOUR LIPS: If you can’t come up with a positive doable suggestion or are not sure that you can say something positive then simply keep quiet. Negativity can be contagious and can negatively impact productivity. So do your workplace a favour by not saying anything if you can’t trust yourself to say something positive. Being in conversation with a negative person is extremely draining so don’t be that kind of person.
FACE THE OBSTACLE: Becoming positive is not a simple ‘sitting by the fireplace experience or process’. It takes guts to hang in there and stick to your commitment. Don’t revert to complaining at the first sign of down times or a situation that you cannot be positive about. When feeling this way avoid people who are likely to reinforce your negativity or make you feel justified to air your grievances.
Now take action: Reduce interaction with negative people in your workplace.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Earn a seat at the table
Most people want to be listened to and have a say whenever they feel they have something to share. That’s not too much to ask; these are things that any decent workplace should guarantee. But to be a real mover and shaper at work you need to develop your influence. Here are ways to step away from the crowd and grow clout.
GET OUT OF YOUR BOX: At work most people want to be listened to and have a say whenever they feel they have something to share. That’s not too much to ask; these are things that any decent workplace should guarantee. But to be a real mover and shaper at work you need to develop your influence and grow clout. One way is to be resourceful in ways you never had to before. Improvise, adapt and overcome barriers. Don’t let structural divisions or compartmentalisation in your workplace be an excuse for remaining in your corner.
ACT THE PART: A seat at the table calls for someone who is self-motivated, self-directed makes way where there is seemingly no way, can see around corners and ahead, can roll up their sleeves and be able to roll with the punches. Show perspective and ability to see things from other’s viewpoint. Expand your knowledge so that you can ‘speak into’ conversations rather than ‘hijacking’ them by pulling them down to topics you are comfortable with.
BE DISCERNING: Don’t be one of those who believe the workplace is divided into two groups of people; thinkers or deciders on one hand and the ‘doers’ on the other and that you are just a doer. If you think this way you’ll constantly feel disempowered. Some people’s jobs make them decision makers but you can be creative about influencing decisions. Reach out, offer an opinion or even instigate discussions and deliberations that give you voice. Don’t make people guess what you’re thinking neither should you go shooting from the hip. If you can make this mindset shift you’ll become able to engage more at increasingly higher levels. Don’t think in ‘this or that polarising’ terms. Seek exposure to new people who are relevant so that you have access to new thoughts and ideas.
SHOW YOUR METTLE: Go above and beyond. Be visible, be useful and be interested. Don’t go for easy work or duck out of challenging situations or assignment at the first opportunity. Don’t sit back and expect someone to identify your capability or to build it. Get out there and show what you can do. Understand the strategic challenges of your organisation and find or ask for the opportunities you feel prepared for that will help you participate in what will take the organisation where it needs to go. Show by the way you work that you deserve to be taken seriously. Be flexible within the corporate structure and be open to responsibility. Most people are happy to lay back, perhaps not content but not also willing to do anything different so your being proactive will take you much further along.
Now take action: What one thing will you do to increase your influence at work?
GET OUT OF YOUR BOX: At work most people want to be listened to and have a say whenever they feel they have something to share. That’s not too much to ask; these are things that any decent workplace should guarantee. But to be a real mover and shaper at work you need to develop your influence and grow clout. One way is to be resourceful in ways you never had to before. Improvise, adapt and overcome barriers. Don’t let structural divisions or compartmentalisation in your workplace be an excuse for remaining in your corner.
ACT THE PART: A seat at the table calls for someone who is self-motivated, self-directed makes way where there is seemingly no way, can see around corners and ahead, can roll up their sleeves and be able to roll with the punches. Show perspective and ability to see things from other’s viewpoint. Expand your knowledge so that you can ‘speak into’ conversations rather than ‘hijacking’ them by pulling them down to topics you are comfortable with.
BE DISCERNING: Don’t be one of those who believe the workplace is divided into two groups of people; thinkers or deciders on one hand and the ‘doers’ on the other and that you are just a doer. If you think this way you’ll constantly feel disempowered. Some people’s jobs make them decision makers but you can be creative about influencing decisions. Reach out, offer an opinion or even instigate discussions and deliberations that give you voice. Don’t make people guess what you’re thinking neither should you go shooting from the hip. If you can make this mindset shift you’ll become able to engage more at increasingly higher levels. Don’t think in ‘this or that polarising’ terms. Seek exposure to new people who are relevant so that you have access to new thoughts and ideas.
SHOW YOUR METTLE: Go above and beyond. Be visible, be useful and be interested. Don’t go for easy work or duck out of challenging situations or assignment at the first opportunity. Don’t sit back and expect someone to identify your capability or to build it. Get out there and show what you can do. Understand the strategic challenges of your organisation and find or ask for the opportunities you feel prepared for that will help you participate in what will take the organisation where it needs to go. Show by the way you work that you deserve to be taken seriously. Be flexible within the corporate structure and be open to responsibility. Most people are happy to lay back, perhaps not content but not also willing to do anything different so your being proactive will take you much further along.
Now take action: What one thing will you do to increase your influence at work?
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