“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” – William James
Employees with bad attitudes…we’ve all seem them. The eye roller, the change resister, the chronic complainer, the arguer, the non-team player.what do to about them?
Having coached numerous managers on how to get employees to make an “attitude adjustment“, I’ve put together a few coaching tips you can use. First, it’s best to stay away from the word “attitude” and focus on discussing observable behaviors and actions as well as their impact on others and the organization. Then, instead of focusing on what NOT to do, try focusing on the positive actions they can take to replace current behavior including:
— Accept Yourself and Others:
Focus and build on your strengths. Look for ways to praise others for their contributions. Try placing yourself in another person’s situation and giving them the benefit of the doubt before jumping to criticize. Value the differences in others.
— See Opportunities in Every Situation:
Look for and offer solutions not just problems. Examine every situation for personal and professional growth experiences for the future. Be open and flexible to learning new things.
— Ask.How Can I Help?:
Find out what coworkers and customers need and partner with them for mutual success. Be willing to share creative ideas with others. Develop an interest in others by listening to their ideas without interrupting.
— Control Your Emotions:
You can’t help the way you feel in situations, but you can help the way you think and act. How people perceive and respond to events around them is their choice. Wait to receive all the facts before reacting and drawing a conclusion.
The definition of attitude is “A state of mind or a feeling, disposition to act in a certain way.” So helping an employee change “the attitudes of their mind” can go a long way to improving morale, productivity and teamwork.
“A happy person is not a person in a
certain set of circumstances, but rather a
person with a certain set of attitudes.”
– Scottish Proverb