Are you becoming a negative employee? Here are tips to help address negativity

by Sep 21, 2015

Employees often live in a highly stressful working environment wherein sometimes people are subjected to negativity.  It can be in the form of co-workers who feel negatively about the workplace or it may also come from you during situations where you did not agreed to a business decision or announcement.

There are also instances when your work would require you to face negative situations such as dealing with confrontations or participating in difficult work related conversations.  Regardless where the negativity is coming from, it contributes to stress and may leave one drained of energy and optimism.

One of your outlets to let out your frustrations may be telling your family about the negative situations at work.   Another may be spending time with fellow co-workers who also feel the same way.  Talking about it may help but in the long run, it will not be the right way to break free from negativity.

What’s critical is you have to make a choice to remove yourself from negativity or create a different workplace environment for yourself.  You can choose to stand with those who continue to have a negative existence or view point in your workplace.  Or you may opt to rise above them and live in a positive working culture.

So how do you address negativity in the workplace?  First, recognize and acknowledge that you are human and would occasionally be subjected to situations wherein you may need to follow or uphold decisions that you don’t entirely support. In such situations, remember to try and keep positive and not add to the negativity with your actions, words or behavior.  Try to find a balance wherein you can act authentically so that people can find you credible and trustworthy.

In some instances, you may want to take time out when dealing with stressful situations and try to think about the best scenario or positive aspect of a conversation or announcement, wherein you felt that you reacted in a negative manner.

For other tips, click here to learn more about dealing with negativity at the workplace.

Civility is the platform for organizational success—it is absolutely necessary for an organization to reach its goals. Download our Ebook on Seeking Civility to learn more on how to create a workplace free of bullying and abusive conduct.

 

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

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