Gale Research conducted a study on the Power of Negativity in the Workplace.The survey only consists of two questions.

Would you rather:
1.  Accept a $10,000 pay raise knowing that you would be working with a negative person?
2. Keep your current salary and not work with a negative person?

The video below will give you the results.

Results from the survey: The Power of Negativity in the Workplace

25% of those surveyed would accept the $10,000 pay increase knowing that they would be working with a negative person.
74% of those surveyed would stay at their current salary and work with a negative person.

Were you surprised? Clients share how much stress they experience at work because of only one complainer on their team.  It takes a few sessions to create an action plan on how to deal with the complainer. At times we can try several strategies and nothing seems to work. That’s when we have to ask ourselves what else we need to do. The answer is usually changing our mindset. Not easy. But necessary.

I’ve included a link at the end of this post to an article on THE GAP – a safe place to go before you open your mouth. This is a great strategy to use when you need to remind yourself that the negative person is not attacking you, they are negative because of their situation. At times we personalize things a bit too much – not a judgment, just being real here. 🙂

Step into the GAP and remind yourself that you can do the following;

• Walk away
• Say something safe
• Speak your truth

How Can We Use the Study of The Power of Negativity to Our Advantage? 

I’m hearing about so much stress and drama going on these days at work. We need to discover why great employees are leaving your company. They may not tell you that they found another job because of a negative colleague or leader at your company. Most people keep their reasons internally because they don’t want to open up a can of worms.

Think about the cost of retraining someone new and the loss of experience. One of the best ways to reduce negativity in the workplace is to make sure that everyone feels heard. Ask more questions, including all levels of your workforce in key decisions. Speaking to your negative person is something that leaders need to do in order to reduce the toxic environment from appearing. They need to be made aware that negativity, gossip, silence, or bullying are not acceptable in your workplace.

Let’s Stay Connected

Please share your thoughts on the negativity survey and content of this article. Tell us about your experience working with a negative person and how you did or did not resolve the situation.
Send me a private email HERE if you have a question about your own stress at work or even at home. I will answer your email immediately. Let’s get the conversation started. 🙂

I added an article below if you want to read more about THE GAP – how to get into a safe place before you open your mouth.

Here’s an article about THE GAP. Enjoy and let me know what “speaks’ to you.

Until Next Time,
Have a great week!

Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP, CVP
The Queen of Conflict Resolution

P.S. Remember to grab your personalized FREE Communication Assessment to see how your communication impacts your success at work.
Visit Kick Conflict to the Curb to get started.