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October 2008
Leading in Turbulent Times Means Choosing a Positive Attitude

"You choose your own attitude." Maybe not the most profound statement, but it certainly rings true. And for leaders who take personal responsibility for their actions, and for the results of those actions, choosing your own attitude is essential.

Your choice is whether that attitude is positive or negative.

With today's financial market chaos, the economic meltdown, and corporate layoffs, it's tempting to be negative. Tempting, but not smart, and certainly not a sign of good leadership. Your job as a leader is to "choose your own attitude," and make sure it's a positive one.

You are the CEO of your job. Therefore, YOU, and YOU ALONE, are responsible for your attitude, and whether that attitude is positive or negative. The last thing you want to do is contribute to the downward spiral of negativity and whining.

Your direct reports are looking to you for leadership, and whether you like it or not, they'll model your behavior. If you play the role of pessimist, they'll do so too.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting you ignore that 900 pound gorilla in the room, whether it's the economy, the employment numbers, or anything else. But just because things are bad doesn't mean you have to contribute to the negativity swirling around you.

Your job is to eliminate, or at least reduce, that negativity.

As with most leadership issues, it all starts with you, and your attitude.

Let's look at what goes on in your head, which is important because what's in your head usually comes out of your mouth.

Or it comes out in your facial expression, tone of voice, or gestures. If you think negatively, you'll talk and act
negatively too.

So the key is to get rid of the negative thoughts, and fill your head with the positive. But first you have to understand the nature of negative thoughts.

Negative thoughts are usually rooted in the past, but focused on the future, particularly on the uncertainty of the future. (Negative thoughts are rarely about the present, the immediate "right now.")

For example, someone treats you badly, perhaps by attacking you in front of your team. So you worry about whether that treatment will continue, and how you will handle it. Or you worry about how it will affect your standing with the team.

Or, maybe your company has announced it will lay people off, so you worry about whether you will be next. Or maybe the bad news is that YOU are being laid off, so you worry about how you will survive financially, emotionally, etc.

Eliminating those negative thoughts so we can focus on the positive involves four steps:

1) Look for hard evidence: Is there hard evidence to support the worst case scenario you're probably focused on? Usually there isn't. Anecdotal evidence, hearsay evidence, maybe. But not hard, solid evidence.

2) Consider alternative explanations or outcomes: Past
incidents ("he lied to me") almost always have other
explanations (it was a misunderstanding, he didn't know the info was bad, etc.) And the worst case scenario at the forefront of your mind isn't the only possible outcome.

If you identify alternative explanations or outcomes, evaluate the likelihood that each explanation is right, or that each outcome will happen. Usually you'll see that the one you're worrying about isn't the most likely.

3) Evaluate the implications of the worst case scenario, in case it does happen: Is it really the end of the world?
Usually not.

If your negative thoughts are work-related, chances are the implications are minor compared to other real problems like sudden death of a loved one, serious illnesses, crippling addictions. You probably know people who are going through some of these. Would you trade places with them?

4) Decide the best use of your time, now and moving forward: You're better off focusing on the positive, and devising strategies for the future, rather than dwelling on the negative. Use your time to develop a plan, then execute it.

Choose your attitude, and use the above steps to eliminate your negative thoughts. Then fill your mind with positive thoughts, and model your positive attitude.

The only other thing left to do is...communicate to others that you will NOT tolerate the whining, backbiting, badmouthing, and other destructive activities that accompany negative attitudes.  Take appropriate action if others don't get with the program.

But first get with the program yourself, and choose to have a positive attitude. That's how you lead in turbulent times.

Until next edition, keep leading the way!

Copyright (C) 2008 by Terry Wall

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