I have had several instances that have popped up in recent weeks around the topic of attitudes and how they can affect organizations. In these instances, I have had the opportunity to lead, and problem solve, and unfortunately to fail. However, the good news is I am able to make a correction and move forward purposefully in the right direction and encourage that behavior in my team too.

I wrote in my last blog about the struggle I am having at work with one of my supervisors. Despite my best effort, I have a bad attitude when I have dealings with her. Even after our conversation last week where I told her I was not being my best self. There is still something there that doesn’t sit right. It is affecting our interactions, productivity on joint projects, and how we are approaching situations as a dyad. I know this is temporary, and that I have control over how I behave, and if I continue to work on it, I will eventually get to a place where we can be cohesive.
In another situation, I had to break the news to my team that we need to start trickling back into the office for work as pandemic restrictions are relieved. This has been rough as most people have various attitudes about returning, including anxiety. I have been really transparent with them on how I would approach this as a manager, and we have been mostly on the same page about strategies and schedules. However, I have one employee is really digging in her heels about coming in, citing a variety of issues which existed before she left, so how are they suddenly an issue now.
See what I did there? I just passed a judgement and chose to have a bad attitude about why she wasn’t returning instead of taking a moment to reflect and think about other reasons she might be reluctant. Obviously not a proud moment, and thankfully I was able to quickly recognize that lapse in good judgement (and good leadership), and make a correction. I relayed the importance of understanding her position, and committing to a sensible solution for everyone involved.
Let me be clear, this is not a cut and dry event, but a process that requires continuous fostering in order to be successful. I know that my attitude is a choice. I have the power to change it if I want to, and if I am quick enough to see it happening. It is important to be humble in the recognition, and in the willingness to share these shortcomings with our teams. It reinforces the fact that we are all human, will never have all the answers, and that we are able to live a life we are proud of if we will get out of our own way once in a while.
Do you have pitfalls of a bad attitude? I would love to hear about them. Shoot me a comment!