Build Your Leadership Positivity

Do you have a bias for negativity? Or do you tend to be more positive? Consider these three questions:  

1. How do you respond to a very negative event, situation or confrontation?
2. How do you respond to a very positive event, situation or encounter?
3. Are your responses equal in intensity?

If you tend to respond more strongly to negative events, you may be experiencing the negativity effect. Something very positive will generally have less of an impact; in extreme cases, you may simply not notice it.

Unfortunately, this negativity effect also impacts decision-making and risk considerations. But when leaders have a more positive mindset, their thoughts, behavior, instincts and responses are more receptive to organizational needs. They see a brighter future in which problems become opportunities.

Are you practicing negative behaviors? Make it a point to notice when you are:

• Complaining
• Gossiping
• Being selfish
• Apathetic
• Untruthful

Replace those behaviors that reinforce negativity by practicing positive behaviors:

• Expressions of gratitude
• Compassion
• Service to others
• Empathy
• Truthfulness

By placing a higher value on integrity, honor, service to others, caring and truthfulness, you’ll push negative elements aside, where they belong. You’ll enjoy greater satisfaction and experience personal and professional benefits. The more you practice positivity, the more natural it will become—and the less desirable your old ways will seem.

Have you noticed how optimistic people tend to be more outwardly focused? A positive character eliminates the need for ego or pride. Fulfillment comes from the joy of positivity and self-worth. The pursuit of excellence with your employees fosters the enjoyment that negativity blocks.

Minimizing the negative influences around you also increases your ability to transition to positivity, while simultaneously reshaping the culture. Your employees will experience their own character shifts when leadership no longer tolerates negative behavior. Negative people around you become uncomfortable when behaviors and comments are met with disapproval. Your encouragement makes positivity more appealing to them.

Direct reports support and appreciate leaders whose positive character inspires transformation. As people choose to follow you, your care for them will grow, as will your spirit of service.

By diligently building a more positive character, followed by persistence in pursuing it, you and your people will ultimately refuse to live any other way.

What do you think? How do you build your leadership positivity? I’d love to hear from you. You can call me at 704-827-4474; let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here or on LinkedIn.