Positive Attitude, Motivation, & Productivity
Improve Employee Attitude, Morale, Output, Motivation; Reduce Stress
Aug 12, 2008
If you are a manager, whether your work group consists of one person or one thousand, there's an initiative you can implement that will increase workplace morale and productivity, and reduce workplace stress. Institute a positive attitude of problem solving with a "no complaining rule."
The Costs of Negativity
In The No Complaining Rule (John Wiley & Sons, 2008), Jon Gordon provides a strong argument for fostering a positive attitude at work. Gordon quotes Gallup Organization research indicating that negativity costs the U.S. economy $250 to $300 billion every year.
Workers can't be productive if they're not at work. Gordon quotes data that a high percentage of doctor visits are stress related, while complaining coworkers are a source of stress. Couple that with Tom Rath's finding that negative workers scare off customers (How Full Is Your Bucket, Gallup Press, 2004) and the price of negativity is easy to imagine.
The No Complaining Rule
Institute a positive, problem-solving attitude in your organization by prohibiting mindless complaining, instead turning areas for complaint into opportunities to improve. Of course, this implies that you, the manager, refrain from mindless complaining, derogatory talk, and other forms of negativity. You set the tone and the mindset by what you do and what you say. Both must be aligned.
"Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Openly discuss the hidden costs to the organization of negativity in lowered morale, lost sales, and coworker conflicts. Enroll your employees in the concept that every complaint is an opportunity to improve the organization.
Institute a rule against complaining. Instead encourage them to bring the situation to the attention of yourself or another appointed manager. Assure them that complaints will be heard if brought to the attention of the designated person as long as the complaint is accompanied by a possible solution.
A Positive Work Environment
Make fostering a positive attitude a part of each person's performance appraisal. If it's not important enough to affect performance appraisal and pay, employees will recognize that it's not really important.
"There is a basic law that like attracts like. Negative thinking definitely attracts negative results." ~Norman Vincent Peale
Five Alternatives to Complaining
Gordon suggests five alternative behaviors to complaining. Model these for your employees and watch the attractiveness of positive thinking take hold.
- Practice Gratitude: It may sound odd in a business setting, but daily gratitude exercises bring a measurable boost in happiness and are energizing. Begin each morning by reflecting on three blessings related to your business or organization. Share these with your employees. Doing so will show your humanity and sensitivity.
- Praise Others: Focus your energy on what people are doing well, your customers, employees, and other groups with which your organization interacts.
- Focus on Success: Each day, send an email describing one success of your organization. Perhaps it's an on-time delivery, a successful sale, or a great idea.
- Let Go: Focus on the things you and your organization can control. Let go of the rest.
- Meditate: This, too, may be a bit odd in a business setting, but try beginning meetings with a brief, relaxing and energizing meditation. Researchers find that meditation reduces stress, boosts energy, and provides a positive feeling.
Foster a Positive Work Environment
As leader of your organization, you have the ability to set a tone of positive or negative attitude. Positivity is healthier, more energizing, and attractive. Everyone wins when people stop mindless complaining and adopt a positive, problem solving attitude at work.
