Don’t let the *$%)@!#s get you down!

James — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:38:28 +0000

I’ve always been in awe of how powerful negative people can be. Take 5 people who want to do something and mix in one who believes it can’t be done and well, you can guess the outcome. Is it any wonder that most of the world’s creative geniuses do most of their work in solitude?

So what do we do when dealing with negative people? Here are some thoughts.

IGNORE THEM - Nice idea but it rarely works. I used to think I could build faster than they could destroy but I was wrong. Negative people can destroy a month’s worth of planning and work with a single phrase or even a single glance. Some of them disguise their efforts by saying they are supporting the groups efforts but they ‘just want them to know the facts.’ How helpful. They then proceed to point out the obstacles but never offer any solutions. Ignoring them is like ignoring cancer. It’s rare that either one ever goes away on their own.

CONFRONT THEM - Here’s the real first step. Now don’t do this in public. Take them aside for a talk. Every person deserves a fair hearing, even negative people. In many cases you will learn that they don’t perceive themselves as negative and they are being sincere when they say that. Often pointing out how they are impacting others will be a revelation to them and in a few cases that will be all that is needed. They will make efforts to change. Confronting people about their attitudes is awkward, difficult and uncomfortable but it is absolutely essential for the growth of your group or business. No, scratch the word ‘growth’ and replace it with ’survival.’ Yeah, it’s THAT important.

WORK WITH THEM - After letting negative people know that their attitudes are not acceptable we need to be prepared to work with them to encourage and assist change. This is really hard for most of us because deep down, we really don’t like these people and they probably aren’t too fond of us either. Keep reminding yourself that noone wakes up in the morning and says, “I want to have a miserable day.” Remember too that they didn’t get like this overnight and they won’t change overnight either.

GET RID OF THEM - This really needs to be an option of last resort but it does need to be an option and they need to know it. Unacceptable behavior is unacceptable. Period. People who revel in their negative attitudes need to be invited to inflict themselves on your competitors. Besides if you don’t let them go guess who will leave? You got it. All of the people who want to build something positive. And when they’re gone what you have left aint’ gonna be pretty.

GET RID OF YOU - Yep, sometimes you have to admit that you can’t make a difference. If that negative person is the owner of the company or a senior staff person your chances of impacting them in your lifetime might be pretty slim. There comes a time when it’s best to say ‘Sayonara’ and find a better situation. Life’s too short to waste it on losing situations.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH WINNERS - No matter what your situation it is important that you surround yourself with as many positive people as you can find. Call them your attitudinal braintrust or whatever. Find people who brighten your day, who inspire you, who give you hope, who just make you feel better about life and yourself….and spend as much time with them as possible.

In the meantime keep up the good fight and don’t let the *$%)@!#s get you down!

New Ideas or Variations on a Theme

James — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:22:19 +0000

While in Madison yesterday my daughter and I went to a movie at one of the 10 screen theatres. Nothing remarkable about that but as we were leaving another of the screens was also ending and instead of the usual younger viewers this audience was distinctly different. Older, well dressed…did I really see some suits and ties or has my memory tricked me? What was going on here? And the hall was literally flooded with this group. What movie attracted that audience and in those numbers? What was I missing? I looked at the sign over the door and it said, “Metropolitan Opera.” Huh? There’s a movie about the Metropolitan Opera and it actually drew a crowd?

This morning an article in the online NYTimes caught my eye. At Cineplexes, Sports, Opera, Maybe a Movie detailed a new acceptance for live simulcasts of special events at theatres throughout the country. I know that’s been done for sporting events but the Metropolitan Opera??

New idea or variation on a theme…I don’t think it mattered to the crowd that was in attendance. Now if every business thought like that…!

Blue Chip Musings » Random Thoughts

Don’t let the *$%)@!#s get you down!

New Ideas or Variations on a Theme