Positivity
Let’s be honest, events around the world have not really given many of us a lot to feel positive about this year. But you do have a personal choice in your working life to decide whether you will be positive at work, or (let’s just say it) miserable. If your colleagues are only visible on Zoom/Skype/Teams etc, you’re working at home on your own, and the influences of politics, Covid and global unrest make it hard to raise a smile, does it make any difference whether you’re channelling a positive mindset or not? Yes, of course it does, perhaps more than you realise. During your working week you could count down the hours from Monday to Friday, yearning for the weekend to arrive, dissatisfied with the woes of work, and letting everyone know how you feel. Or, as a Manager, you could decide to reframe your negative thoughts, and make the move from a habitual complainer to an enthusiastic leader! Think about changing up your attitude, with your own reaction to events, messages and circumstances. In response, see improvements in morale and productivity from those within your team.
Why does positivity matter at work? Having a positive outlook may not make you necessarily better at your job, but it can improve the way your team view you as a manager or a leader. It’s easy to become bogged down in your own difficulties or dramas at work. Negative attitudes can become all-too-consuming. Of course you’ll have hard times in your personal and professional life, and so will your colleagues. But think about it for a moment. If someone is constantly miserable and complaining within the workplace (virtual or not) do you feel energised to work alongside them? This type of negative energy can be draining, and actually quite contagious. Negative toxicity spreads quickly, affecting team morale on a big scale if allowed to go unchecked. To engage people who tend to be like this, consider helping them to change up rather than join them in their misery. Be encouraging, offer praise and positive words. Often it’s your body language and choice of words that can make a difference to someone else’s mood. It’s not always easy to do, and could come across as insincere or awkward at first, but maintaining a positive attitude is a habit like many others. Praise, encourage, be nice, be direct, take a break (change the subject even), and smile…often — even if you can’t be face-to-face with your team, a smile can be heard in your voice!
In a study discussed in the Harvard Business Review, they found teams that gave five positive comments for every negative one significantly outperformed more negative teams. Only positive feedback can motivate people to continue doing what they’re doing well, and do it with more vigor, determination, and enthusiasm.
People are drawn to positivity. As a Manager your over-arching goal is to encourage others to do their best for you, as part of your team and your business. So your own mindset, your outlook, your attitude and optimism are the keystones for inspiring it in others. The upside is that a great positive mindset is not something you can pay money to acquire, or take a course to learn — it’s a free resource, something that might take practise if it doesn’t always come naturally, but is one of the best assets a People Manager can have. Inspiring positivity in others can help to increase levels of happiness amongst your team. Happy team members are enthusiastic and often more productive team members. And in case you still need convincing to give it a try, listen to the words of an expert:
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviour. Keep your behaviour positive because your behaviour becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny” — Mahatma Ghandi
