Positive Attitude Information

Increasing Expectation Positively!


At your next staff meeting lead your team through the following discussion and exercise.

This exercise is focused on getting people to perceive things positively. The exercise goes like this:

Make the point to your team that they have the power to perceive virtually all things either from a positive or negative perspective.

Lead a discussion asking for attendees to offer up negative circumstances resulting from a well-known tragedy.

As an example let's consider the tragedy involving the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Creating this "list of negatives" will come easily for the participants given the nature of the disaster. For example: The loss of life, the potential effects for radiation on the ground, the devastating blow to the space program, the children and families effected by the loss of loved ones, etc.

In the interest of time and keeping your entire team fully engaged, make the list no longer than 8-10 items.

Next, ask the group to come up with a list of positive outcomes from this experience.

(Hint: This will actually be more difficult for the group because it is hard to voice optimism when talking about personal tragedy. However, you can offer up a few of your own ideas to get people started thinking from a different point of view.)

For instance some positive outcomes are:

- The space program will learn from this disaster and become even more safe for future flights - thus saving countless lives.

- The nation came together from the crisis, which is good for the solidarity of our country.

- The family members will remember their deceased as American Heroes and throughout history their family will take pride in his/her commitment to space exploration.

- The focus on the tragedy from the national media will inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts. Perhaps a child will become the greatest space explorer of all time as a result.

Now, challenge your team to come up with 5 additional positive outcomes. You will be surprised now by their creativity and renewed vision for what is possible.

Lastly, go through the exact same exercise. This time however, choose the following topic appropriate to your own business. Here's the challenge:

"Revising our production goals UP by an additional 15%."

After going through the negatives first (limit the list to only 5 items), then go through the positives, and allow your team to have a lengthy discussion on HOW this 15% production increase will be achieved. In effect, let them create a mini action plan.

Once the group has agreed on how to increase the production by 15% you can ever-so-gently inform them that "the goals did NOT just go up by 15%, only 10%! BUT, now that we have a plan for achieving 15%, don't you think we should use it?"

Have fun with this exercise! It shows people you are a leader with vision and that you understand the power of perception and belief.

Hopefully, it will also show your team that you have a good sense of humor and that you can relate to their concerns. This exercise makes for a terrific opportunity to "CONNECT" with your employees.

Show your team that it's ok to have fun while increasing expectations.

Richard Gorham is the founder and President of Leadership-Tools, Inc. His web site, http://www.leadership-tools.com is dedicated to providing free tools and resources for today's aspiring leaders. Offering high-quality tools in the areas of Business Planning, Leadership Development, Customer Service, Sales Management and Team Building.


MORE RESOURCES:

FM: China ready to enhance cooperation with Japan on disaster ...
Xinhua, China - 6 hours ago
... to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in this aspect," said the ministry's spokesman Liu Jianchao, "China holds a positive attitude toward this," he ...


Four Graduate From St. Louis School
Tyler Morning Telegraph, TX - 6 hours ago
She spoke about the meanings of graduation, including that it is about facing each day with determination and a positive attitude. ...


Medic remembered for his smile, positive attitude
CBC.ca, Canada - Jul 8, 2008
A Canadian military medic killed by an explosion early Sunday near the city of Kandahar is being remembered as a committed, friendly man who almost always ...


West Boynton: Library program addresses 'Power of a Positive Attitude'
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - Jul 17, 2008
JC Stern, community relations representative for Hospice of Palm Beach County, will give a lecture on "The Power of a Positive Attitude" at 2 pm July 29. ...


Bleacher Report

McLellan Fills In Staff San Jose Sharks Staff
NHL.com - 21 hours ago
Todd also has a very good background as a player and his positive attitude will have a big impact on this team.” The 2007-08 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins ...
Sharks job Richards’ next step to goal Wilkes Barre Times-Leader
Pens' AHL coach Richards leaves Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
all 47 news articles


We could all learn a lot from Tim Penny's positive attitude
Post-Bulletin, MN - Jul 14, 2008
I greatly enjoyed the July 7 article in the Post-Bulletin by Tim Penny, President of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, regarding the Town ...


The Chattanoogan

SEC Football Media Days 2008: Alabama
The Chattanoogan, TN - 1 hour ago
The positive attitude, leadership that some of our older players have demonstrated has made a positive impact. We really feel good about the progress that ...


Carlisle show a positive attitude
Journal Live, UK - Jul 9, 2008
CARLISLE United have begun the fightback after a pre-season of largely negative headlines by announcing they are actively searching for a new striker – and ...


FemmeFan.com

Surf Wrap-Up: First Half Down
FemmeFan.com, CA - 7 hours ago
... (pictured) is experiencing his first professional season in baseball and while he doesn't get much playing time, his positive attitude is impressive. ...


German band needs host families in Lyon Area
South Lyon Herald, MI - 7 hours ago
Matelske said that being a host family is easy because the students have excellent English skills, their own money and come with a positive attitude. ...

Positive-Attitude - Google News

home | site map
© 2006