Are you ready to read about one idea that will reduce negativity in the workplace?
A few years ago I watched a hearing between the Secret Service Director and Congress. It was extremely heated and I knew that I was going to write about this interaction in a future article. Let me refresh your memory. A few agents drank alcohol at a retirement party. After leaving the party, they crashed their car into the white house. It was on international news for several days.
Congress asked important and tough questions to the Secret Service Director and he repeatedly skirted all issues. Congressmen and women actually said, “What are you going to do about it?” The Director said, “I first need to get all of the facts.” Several members of Congress said the same thing, “Why not fire the agents on the spot? You need to make the hard decisions.” The Director was very nervous and it almost sounded like he was covering up the “real story.”
The bottom line is that there was a huge communication breakdown in the Department. Supposedly the Director did not hear about this incident for a few days. I ask the question, why didn’t he hear about this sooner?
Reasons why there is negativity in the workplace:
- Fear of retribution
- Covering-up for each other
- Dysfunctional cultural barriers
- The wrong fit for roles and job responsibilities
- Not knowing who to go to for answers
- Unclear expectations
- Too much red tape
CLICK HERE to read my article on Coaching Others to Take Ownership
What about your organization’s negativity in the workplace?
- Are employees responsible for their actions?
- Does your leadership hold direct reports accountable?
- Is there trust between leadership and employees?
- Are expectations clear?
- Do people know their role at work?
- Does everyone know who they need to report to if there is a problem?
Don’t make the same mistakes about negativity in the workplace
Make sure that you and your team know how mistakes will be handled. Transparency is a key. Keep the lines of communication open by getting to know each other and building trust with each other. This won’t happen when people are not open and honest with each other or aren’t clear about ALL expectations. Negativity in the workplace can be reduced when leadership knows how to stop it by making tough disciplinary decisions. The team counts on leadership to insure that accountability is addressed.
I want to hear from you!
Send me your questions or concerns about your own negativity in the workplace issues issues HERE. I enjoy hearing from my readers plus they get their questions answered. Let me know what topics you want me to write about concerning your own conflict in the workplace “issues.”
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Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
Joyce Weiss, Master Coach – known as the Queen of Conflict Resolution, works with individuals and organization who want to make sure everyone feels heard and respected to kick conflict to the curb. To book Joyce for a personalized virtual meeting or coaching packages, call: 248.681.5831 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
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Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP, CVP
Queen of Conflict Resolution
Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!
See YOU Next Week.
PS CLICK HERE to read my article on Coaching Others to Take Ownership
