Negitive co-workers
I always have a possitive attitude and if someone around me is negitive, I try to point out the possitive in what they say. Or I just tell them " Don't be so negitve". Or "Why are you so negitive" and then they will open up to me and I give them a possitive out look. How would you handle something like this?
Tammy ,
Some studies have indicated it takes as many as twelve positive experiences (or people) to make up for one negative experience (or person).
Jeffrey Schillinger
Negative coworker can be a pain to deal with sometimes but I just keep a positive attitude and try to get them to see a more positive view. With my students I do the samething, I make sure that they know and feel that everything will be alright. There is a Brighter day coming.
I love that idea! I tend to be a glass-half-full kind of person and sometimes can feel physically drained at the end of the day because I am "pep talk central". Your perspective gives me a burst of energy!
A negative outlook typically represents a deeper issue beyond the specific negative response. Negative attitudes, as we know, not only hinders the effectiveness of the individual but also damages the mission of the institution. Responding to negative people should be met with positve, yet realistic outlooks. When something is wrong, it should not be expected for individuals to say it is right. However, finding positive change methods and encourgement to promote and enhance the objectives of the instution are part of the growing and maturity process. Nothing is as difficult for an administrator as having to work with negative students who have developed their negative attitude as a result of comments and attitudes of faculty.
I am generally a positive person. As I teach in the classroom and with "hands on", in the healthcare setting, I tell students that when they get down, negative, or annoyed, to remember they are priveledged today by not being the patient in the bed, but the person to help them get better. It is a honor to do this and they could change a person's day by encouraging them, giving them positive feedback, and listening. Many times, students will turn negativity around. As far as co-workers, I generally just won't engage in the conversation if it is very negative. If they ask why, I just tell them that I just can not participate in the negativity, adn that is not productive for me. They usually get the message, and I treat them with a positive attitude and kindness after that. What usually happens is they begin to feel uncomfortable being negative around me, because I try to stay positive, and they stop the negativity, atleast around me.
Thanks, Thomas. I look forward to reading your thoughts in some of the other discussion forums.
What do you intentionally to demonstrate your positive mental attitude?
Mountain Dew comes in a can not a cant. I feel we have got to keep a positive attitude in order to bring the students negative attitudes up- even when things arent going right.
Great thing Sid--- we have to pull up the negitive people. We have to stay strong and rise to the top and pull our fellow co-workes up to think "right"
Jennifer,
Research shows that it takes as many as 12 positive folks to equal one negative one. You and your positive teammates need to keep intentionally bringing a positive atmosphere near your negative co-worker. Eventually he will start to become more positive or he may leave. Both are acceptable results that benefit your students.
The problem with addressing the negative comment with a positive is that it sometimes makes the individual more upset. Rather, I try to avoid putting myself in a situation where I am around the negative individual. When that can't be helped then I stay positive.
Thanks, Miguel,
I have been through similar experiences with instructors. I have been at two colleges that moved to block schedules for their night students to help reduce the number of days per week that students would have to come to class. (Gass was over $4.00 per gallon the second time.)
We had quite a bit of push back from our faculty members, so of it quite vocal. Good training on how to teach im blocks as well as a thorough explanation of the benefits really helped.
It is a natural tendency to react to negative comments with additional negative comments. I always ask for recommendations on how to arrive at a solution, not to reiterate or compound the situation. We recently introduced a cost savings strategy to the class schedule, at the encouragement of corporate. We consolidated class labs where the number of students allowed us to. The instructors were up in arms about the change and did not want to do it. I met with the two intructors who were voicing their opinion the loudest. After explaining the change in detail, I noticed a shift in their attitude and they actually started to provide suggestions on how the new stratgey would work. Negativity can be overcome but it is time consuming but at the end it must be removed in order to create a healthy work environment for all.
Thanks, Shannon. It is great to see that you care enough to do something about negativity.
I have found the best way to aproach a negative co-worker is one on one with a honest approach that tells my co-worker how their behavoir has affected me. I have done this in a non defensive demeanor and found it to be effective.
Point out that nothing is perfect. No matter what type of work you do everything has it's problems.Just roll with it, make the best of it and you will be a lot happier with your job.Always remember that we are here to educate. If it were not for the students we would not have a job!
Steven,
Thanks for this post. How do you try to lessen the impact of negative co-workers?
The negative attitude most of the time only creates more problems. I try not to make negative comments especially around students. If they hear employees making this type of comment it sreves to make them wonder if this is the right place fort them.I find it is much better to think positive and be part of a solution rather than part of the problem.
Thank you for this post, Steven.
Negative co-workers make it tough to stay positive. The Pacific Institute research indicates that it takes 11 positive people to make up for the damage done by one negative person.
What do you feel is the most effective way to address negativity in a co-worker?
