We've all felt that familiar drag in energy level when we know we’re going into a meeting with a nay-sayer who criticizes every idea on the table. We’re also familiar with how our moods can be lifted when the office cheerleader comes by with a smile and a plate of donuts on a busy Friday. While these may seem like no-brainers on the scale of negative-to-positive energies in a workplace, deep down, attitude has a significant impact on a workplace, including productivity levels and morale.
The Difference Between a Negative Attitude and a Bad Mood
It’s important to note that everyone has good days and bad days. Losing a client, flubbing a presentation or even having a frustrating commute can put a generally kind and even-keeled person in a bad mood. A bad attitude, however, is typically a state of mind, and it has the potential to permeate a workplace and drag everyone down with it. If you’re a colleague, you may be able to steer clear of this personality type or steel yourself for necessary interactions; as a manager, you may need to choose between redirecting behavior or letting a bad attitude staffer go, rather than run the risk of alienating other employees.
How Negativity Impacts a Workplace
A negative attitude doesn’t just put others in a bad mood – it also has a tangible, measurable impact on how an office functions. Here are some of the effects of an unchecked negative attitude:
- Lackluster performance
- Unwillingness to work collaboratively
- Dismal outlook
- Unwillingness to try new things
- Reduced energy levels
- Depressive feelings
- Reduced quality of work product
- Poor customer engagement
- Difficulty overcoming obstacles
Negativity can breed contempt and create an environment where there’s no incentive to try, colleagues don’t trust one another and people strive to get through the day rather than thrive, succeed and take initiative.
How Positivity Impacts a Workplace
When there are positive attitudes in a workplace, there’s a feeling that anything can be accomplished. Colleagues support each other and work in tandem, and a host of other positive outcomes materialize, such as:
- Increased productivity
- Greater probability of collaboration and teamwork
- Improved morale
- Ability to overcome adversity
- Willingness to think creatively and try new things
- Willingness to share information and ideas
- Lower turnover
- Increased sense of camaraderie
- Improved customer service
Positivity can be contagious, where everyone feels like they’re on the same team, the effort is collective, and everyone’s ideas are valued and welcomed.
How to Decrease Negativity
Even one or two negative people can bring down a whole workplace attitude. Try counseling these nay-sayers by getting to the heart of what brings out the poor attitude. Perhaps it’s temporary, such as a life struggle or personal issue; conversely, it may be a personality trait, hard-wired to be a vocal devil’s advocate.
In the former case, the staffer may need sympathy and redirection to get back on track; in the latter example, if an employee doesn’t feel their attitude is “wrong,” there’s no incentive to change. In this case, start tracking specific behaviors, take corrective measures, and if circumstances don’t improve, move forward with your company policies for enacting disciplinary measures for non-compliant performance.
Tip
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Some high performers are simply not good “people” people. If this is the case, and you can reassign a negative person to a position where he can be productive, but limited in staff interactions, you may create a win-win for everyone.
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How to Cultivate Positivity
You can go a long way in cultivating an attitude of positivity in your workplace by being respectful, inclusive and supportive of staffers.
- Don’t allow gossip or cliquish behavior to thrive
- Express appreciation for a job well done
- Share credit
- Celebrate successes
You can also increase the odds of having a positive workforce by hiring people with positive outlooks. Question future candidates about how they handle disappointment and setbacks and whether they enjoy team-working environments.