Comments on: Negativity

By: Brian Buck

Brian Buck — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:45:39 +0000

I think this advice should be taken by people in exit interviews. So often employees leave because they quit a boss or a bad system but never pass on this valuable info for fear of “burning bridges”

Good post!

By: John Hunter

John Hunter — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:53:58 +0000

As I said an employee is more useful if they can also provide solutions. However, if an employee can see a problem and explain it then others have a chance to try and fix it. That is better than not knowing about the problem at all. Solutions have to be effective. And raising problems does too. Complaining can be ineffective.

“I don’t like that it rains.” That is not that helpful. “Some customers won’t come to our store when it rains is a little more helpful.” Maybe we can do something to cope with the reasons customers avoid us when it rains to encourage customers to do so. Just look at the problem and see if solutions or counter-measures can be found.

Basically just take the negative expression and work with it. Ok, we tried this exact same improvement idea 2 years ago and it didn’t work. Why didn’t it work? Can we adjust for that and make it work this time? Most organizations are pretty ineffective at improving. Someone pointing out that fact should not be ostracized unless you really want to eliminate thinking and replace it with optimism. I don’t think that works, I want to encourage thinking even if at the beginning that is more negative than the typical things people are willing to say. But many seem to based on their actions.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:32:17 +0000

I agree and disagree. One of my department guidelines (Quality Assurance, Training and Compliance) is “No Negativity” … and that’s not to say that anyone can’t disagree, because another guideline of the department is to come up with solutions and resolutions to issues that we come across – to improve the quality of our work. I have one team member who is consistently “negative” and she quite often doesn’t agree with something and she has no problem stating this. However, she rarely comes up with ideas or resolutions to her disagreements, only that she doesn’t like it, she doesn’t agree with it and she believes she’s entitled to that opinion.

Try as I might to encourage the thought processes to not liking something and coming up with the alternatives, it doesn’t work for this one person.

So how would you suggest I use “negativity is okay” when there is no resolution idea attached to it?

By: Hayli

Hayli — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:04:57 +0000

The math equation in your comments section at 5 a.m. “I don’t like that.”

No, seriously, great post and I agree wholeheartedly. Being able to offer and receive constructive criticism is a key part of the effective leadership package. It helps everyone improve their own performance and that of the organization. Those who want to move up the career ladder would do well to heed your advice.