Bringing Positive Influence Back into Action

The economists say we will not see solid positive growth of our businesses for many years to come? Isn't everyone tired of feeling the pressure of our nation's economic problems impacting our businesses? Decreased sales, increased expenses, what a downer!

Unfortunately what comes with this pressure is the potential for negativity to creep in and affect inter-office communication and personal relationships to a point where there is more "venting" than "motivating" in the workplace. Just like the saying goes, "one bad apple can spoil the bunch", it becomes difficult not to let another's frustrations affect our mood, outlook, and even performance on the job. Worse yet, many times people do not "see" the effects of their attitude until damage has occurred and co-workers too become moody, bitter, and work performance begin to rapidly decline.

It is up to us as business leaders to bring positive influence to our workplaces before it becomes too late. Daily we must be able to bring incentives and share postive strategies to help our co-workers focus on their jobs and goals. It becomes our repsonsibility to essentially be immune to the pending emotional breakdown that negative attitudes can cause and turn situations around that provide an atmosphere of enthusiasm and motivation.

How can you do this? Ask yourself this one question: what one occurance in the past year has positively influenced your workday? Was it recognition? Skill development? Maybe it was a positive influence you had over a co-worker? And as a result of this one influential element, how did the result make you feel? I bet it produced one if not more of the following:

1. Put a smile on your face. Made someone else smile too?
2. Made you feel you accomplished something important.
3. Energized you.
4. __________________ (You fill in the blank)

We need to remember that which positively inlfuenced us in the past. These are what made us move forward and stay focused. Now ask your co-workers the same question - what one occurance positively influenced them within the past year?

With good communication skills, we need to remind others about the power of positive thinking and put those actions that worked in the past back into action. I guarantee that focusing on the negative aspects of a job or project with have 0% chance of motivating others toward a desired result.

Instead of duplicating negative actions (excessive negative chatter, procrastination, poor quality performance), instead, duplicate the positive ones (create a focus board, compliment a co-worker, share ideas, ask for another's opinion). For instance, by asking for a co-worker's opinion on a job related project, you will show your co-worker you value their opinion and it can instill trust and credibility between the two of you. This feeling of "being valued" is very motivational!
So give it a try! You may be surprised how this type of motivational behavior is very contagious!