NEGATIVITY AT WORK PLACE: Office Blues? How to Beat Negativity at Work

Office Blues? How to Beat Negativity at Work

Feeling down at work? Does negativity seem to follow you around more than that spilled coffee? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. A negative work environment can be a real drag, but there are ways to fight back! This guide will help you understand why negativity happens, how to deal with it, and how to be a negativity-fighting leader.

Negativity saps the energy of an organisation and diverts critical attention from work and performance.  In fact, nothing affects employee morale more insidiously than persistent workplace negativity.  It is a seemingly dormant volcano that will boil beneath the surface and periodically bubble up and overflow to cause fresh damage. Negativity not only drives away customers but good team members as well.  The end result of continued and unchecked negativity can be catastrophic for business. Negativity occurs in attitude, outlook and talk of one department member or in a crescendo of voices responding to a workplace decision or event. 

Ironically, for negativity infection, there is no vaccine!

Negativity is often the result of a loss of confidence, control or community. Perhaps the organisation made a decision that adversely affected staff, perhaps an executive ignored people asking legitimate questions, or a concern existing over losing a product line, a rumour about no hike, mistreated or denied a deserved promotion. Almost any decision that excludes the input of the person doing the work is perceived as negative.  

What's Workplace Negativity Anyway?

Imagine a coworker who always complains, gossips, or finds fault with everything. That's workplace negativity in a nutshell. It can be bad for everyone's mood and make it hard to get things done.

Why is Everyone So Grumpy?

There are a few reasons why negativity spreads at work like a bad case of the sniffles. Here are the usual suspects:

• Feeling Stressed and Overwhelmed: Workloads can feel like a ton of bricks sometimes. When people are drowning in work, it's easy to get negative.
• Not Getting Enough Credit: Do you feel like your hard work goes unnoticed? Feeling invisible can lead to frustration and negativity.
• Mixed Messages and Confusion: Ever feel like you don't know what's going on? Unclear instructions and mixed messages can make anyone grumpy.
• Boss from Heck: Is your boss a real pain? A bad boss can quickly bring down the whole office mood.

How to Squash the Skepticism

Once you know why negativity is happening, you can fight back! Here are some tips:

• Talk it Out: Open communication is key. If people feel comfortable sharing their concerns, negativity is less likely to spread.
• Work-Life Balance is Key: Feeling burnt out? It's important to have time for yourself outside of work. A happy you is a more positive you!
• Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Did someone do a great job? Let them know! Recognition can make a big difference in morale.
• Team Up and Have Fun: Working together on fun activities can help people bond and feel more positive about each other.

Leaders: The Negativity-Fighting Ninjas

Good leaders can stop negativity in its tracks. Here's what makes a great leader:

• Understanding Your Team: Put yourself in your employees' shoes. Knowing what they're going through can help you address negativity.
• Positive Vibes Only: Be a ray of sunshine! A positive leader can inspire others to be positive too.
• Hold People Accountable: If someone's being negative, address it in a fair way. Don't let negativity become the norm.
• Keep Everyone in the Loop: Share information openly. The more people know, the less worried and frustrated they'll feel.

• Trust

  Even negative people change once the boss reposes trust and faith in them. Help people feel like members of the in-crowd.  Stress that all employees are held to a high degree of professionalism.  Provide context for decisions and communicate effectively and consistently.  Communicate all that you know as soon as you know.  Create confidence in the minds of the people that you are unbiased.

   

  Transparency

  Make employees know that you have an “open door” policy.  Make them understand that you are willing to share what you know about occurrences in, around and about the organisation to the best of your knowledge and ability.  Provide opportunity for the employees to come open with their negative contentions, but do not welcome arguments.  When an employee comes with a complaint, acknowledge and schedule the employee to come back with all facts and an idea or potential solution.

   

  Facilitate regular staff meetings

  When done properly, regular meetings provide a forum for listening, problemsolving and honouring peak performance.  Make your best expressions to create the first best impression.  Be optimistic and share your vision.  Share with employees your big-picture goals for them and the department. Share the values, mission and goals so that people feel that they are a significant part in the making of something really worth and BIG. Constantly reiterate what it will take for both to be successful.

   

  Speak and act with consistence

   

  Uncertainty is not good for morale because it scares employees.  Maintain consistent application of policies, consistent treatment of all employees and consistent communication about workplace practices and changes.  Strive towards creating a fair workplace in the sense give employees a fair chance to prove him and to avail of growth opportunities at the workplace. Do not indulge in gossip or unwarranted favouritism and prejudice. 

   

  Build relationships

   

  Make relationships a priority and support it with a standard operating procedure.  Be empathetic to understand the problems or complains of employees.  Stretch an extra mile and help them overcome their personal and work struggles as far as possible, so that they can stay motivated and focussed on their jobs.  Acknowledge they have lives outside the office.  Know their hobbies, names of family members and their favourites. 

  Praise in public and criticize privately.

   

  Mentor and coach the team

   

  Make your team members feel valued by taking one-on-one time with them that’s devoted to improving their skills. 

  This could provide a source for identifying the source of negativity.  

   

   

   

  Empowerment

   

  Empower employees.  Involve them in decision making.  Create an environment in which employees feel free to voice their opinions.  Listen to them and implement suggestions that increase efficiency and productivity.  Afford people the opportunity to grow and develop.  Training, perceived opportunities for promotions, lateral moves for development and crosstraining are visible signs of organisation’s commitment to staff.

   

  Share every win

  Celebrate success with your team. Share each success with entire team, so each member of your team knows that success is possible and worth chasing after.  Broadcast success of the team through social media. Be a leader who can set an example. Master your communication and relationship skills, master your emotions, be fair, listen, have integrity, show respect and have fun. All People

  are bound to follow you 

Remember, beating negativity at work is a team effort. By working together, you can create a positive and productive work environment for everyone.