Has your attitude whether good or bad made a difference in any way both at the workplace or home? Attitude plays a good role in the office environment. HR and Organisations cannot guarantee the attitude of its employees hence the development of a corporate culture and policies, which will help shape the life of the business.
Human attitude can be attributed to two major factors – nature and nurture. These two are things we don’t really have control over during our early developmental stages. However, they have great effect on our development – upbringing, environment, schools, friends etc. This amongst others goes a long way to shape our attitude.
Times have really changed and the work evolution have had an impact on employment, job knowledge and skills alone are not enough to secure an employee a successful career life. Employees are more worried about what they would get from the business than the value they would add to the business; this is a canker that must be cured.
The workplace has changed dramatically. Companies are either “downsizing,” “rightsizing,” “merging” or “being acquired.” Thousands of people who thought their lives were secured through retirement are now suddenly vulnerable. Some will become unemployed, and those who remain will wonder when their turns will come. During these times in the life of the organization, your attitude displayed over the years can affect either your stay or otherwise in the business.
Bad attitudes spread, which is why you must address the issue quickly. A single person’s bad attitude can have a huge effect on the operation of your business. For example, if one employee begins complaining, his discontent might spread to other workers. Bad attitudes also can trickle downward and affect many more. A touchy manager can ruin the workplace atmosphere for his/her direct reports. Pervasively negative attitudes can have a detrimental effect on performance, causing employees to become apathetic and despondent. Mistakes might occur more often, and output will likely slow.
Negative attitudes could be due to personal problems. For example, an employee might be having trouble at home that influences her behavior at work. Bad attitudes also can result from workplace events, such as a firing, pay decreases or other small-business problems.
One of the challenges facing management and co-workers today is dealing with difficult people—those who have negative attitudes especially. It is important to note that a person with a negative attitude has the same power to influence others as a person with a positive attitude. The difference appears in the results exhibited over time.
Positive attitudes in the workplace have many benefits, including: Improved communications, better teamwork, increased morale, higher productivity, synergy and makes your organization an employer of choice. Negative attitudes nevertheless, will dismantle teamwork, increase stress and reduces productivity, breaks down communication etc.
In life generally, the difference between the winners and the losers is often attitude. The CEO who is a symbol of leadership, the manager who is a symbol of inspiration for his/her team, the HR business partner who must keep a good relationship with the business unit, the front desk executive who must maintain a high level of professionalism for both internal/external customers- are all good examples of what attitude does for you and everybody around you.
Talent, skills, knowledge are very good and it can open many avenue for you-nonetheless, all these without good attitude will be counterproductive. I have personally met very wonderful people who could have excelled in their careers but for their bad attitudes. There are a few of these very good attitudes we can consider;
Tip # 1 Demonstrate high sense Integrity
Tip # 2 Treat your coworkers with Respect
Tip # 3 Keep Smile
Tip # 4 Be Enthusiastic
Tip # 5 Be Efficient with your work
Tip # 6 Aim for Excellence
Tip # 7 Be Early to work
Tip # 8 Exhibit Resilience
Tip # 9 Be Easy going
Tip # 10 Confidence/Self Efficacy
Tip # 11 Demonstrate Commitment on the job
Tip # 12 Try to be Innovative
Tip # 13 Be Resourceful
Tip # 14 Show Dependability
Tip # 15 Exhibit Optimism
People do not consider some of the above as attitude which can affect productivity as well as their being. They come across as very little issues but has greater impact on us and our various businesses. We must therefore eschew negative attitudes like;
Tip # 1 Forming cliques in the office
Tip # 2 Spreading Rumors
Tip # 3 Avoid Gossiping
Tip # 4 Being Greedy
Tip # 5 Don’t use Vulgar Language
Tip # 6 Avoid Lateness to work
Tip # 7 Being Pessimistic
Tips # Eschew double Standards
Tip # 8 Shun selfishness
Tip # 9 Avoid being Haughty
Tip # 10 Being overly confident
There are many other negative attitudes that can affect workplace performance; it can get worse because it also affect friendship outside the office. We should do everything possible to avoid all the awkward behaviours we exhibit. Excellence and success does not come by default; it’s as a results of conscious effort to make a difference in life.
Remember I have opinions, you have opinions-yes, we can all get along by being respectful and civil. The main objective for practicing positive attitude is to make us all a better people and help increase employee relationship and productivity.
HR professionals and interviewers must therefore develop recruitment modules that can assist in the recruitment and selection process. Even if we miss out during the interview stage, we can quickly monitor new employees during the probation period to make an inform decision on their attitude and its impact on the business.
By Bright Okyere| Twitter: hrtodayghana35 Facebook: hrtoday ghana | Email: hrtodayghana@gmail.com | Whatsapp: 0244204664
