Did you ever actually sit down and think about, or write about, what would happen if you deliberately made the effort to create more positivity in your culture? Hmm.
I think about that question a lot. I read all the reports from Gallup about low engagement, I read the report by the Surgeon General about poor mental health at work. And of course, I keep writing programs and speeches to try to convince people that sometimes the simple answer IS the answer.
In a survey last year 87% of CEOs say that positive culture would be good for their company. But only 37% do something about it!
I wonder why. (If you have the answer to that question – please fill me in!)
It doesn’t matter what level of leadership you’re at, self-leadership comes first.
So here are a few things you can do to create a more positive culture in your life, in your business, and in your family.
Number one – Several times during your day, take a good deep breath and write down three things you appreciate. Easy.
Try doing this three times a day. I call this an “Appreciation Audit” And yes, every day the things on your list have to be different.
Number two -Take some “Time In.” This is a positive leadership practice that has you slowing down and going inward. You might ask yourself “How did I interact with people today? “Did I look for the good? “Did I compliment people on their strengths and how they use them in different ways or did I hang around waiting for people to do something wrong so that I could correct them?”
Number three – Was I mindful of my positivity-to-negativity ratio today knowing at the very minimum we need three times more positivity than negativity to break even? Did I go even a little further and go for the “High Performance Ratio” of 5 times more positivity than negativity? Am I creating a positive example for others?
Let me suggest you start a “positivity journal” and at first keep track of all this on paper – or in your smart phone. Wire in the practices into your brain and create some new pathways!
This is International Week of Happiness at Work and I am proud and happy to be speaking there tomorrow and Thursday.
Tuesday I will be teaching “Positive Culture is your Ultimate Competitive Advantage” a must for every business leader! On Thursday I will be teaching a “something for everyone” class called “Happy From the Inside Out”
Tickets are complimentary but you must register! Go to the site and click on Agenda to see ALL of the workshop available to you. There will be a replay, but you must be registered to get it!
I look forward to seeing you in my Zoom room!
JoAnna
