If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had your fair share of negative experiences with people. You know the type – they’re always complaining about something, they’re never happy, and they always seem to bring others down. How to manage people’s attitudes can be tough if you have to deal with these unsavory characters at the workplace, especially if you yourself are trying to maintain a positive outlook.
In this article, you will learn how to manage people’s attitudes — particularly workplace negativity.
Table of Contents
The Power of a Positive Attitude
It has been said that the average person has about 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, approximately 80% are negative and 95% are the same thoughts as the day before.
That leaves very few original thoughts and a lot of negativity.
So how can we change our thinking and develop a more positive attitude?
It has been proven that a positive attitude:
- Increases life span
- Reduces stress
- Improves immune system
- Boosts mood and energy
- Improves work performance
A positive attitude is a state of mind. It’s a choice that we make every day.
It’s not about faking happiness or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about finding the good in every situation and making the best of it.
It’s about recognizing that every challenge is an opportunity.
It’s about looking at the glass half full instead of half empty.
Developing a positive attitude can be difficult, especially if you’re surrounded by negativity. But it is possible.
Here are some tips:
- Focus on the good. Make a list of things you’re grateful for, things that bring you joy, or things that went well today.
- Challenge negative thoughts. When you have a negative thought, ask yourself if it’s true. If it’s not, replace it with a positive thought.
- Spend time with positive people. When you’re around positive people, their attitude rubs off on you.
- Be mindful. Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions. Choose to focus on the positive.
A positive attitude won’t solve all your problems, but it will make them seem more manageable. It will also make you a more pleasant person to be around.
Tips for Maintaining a Positive Attitude at Work
It’s easy to get bogged down and negative in the day-to-day grind. But having a positive attitude is key to maintaining your sanity and enjoying your life.
Here are a few tips for managing your attitude.
1. Don’t Take Things Personally
Not everything is about you, so don’t take things to heart. This is especially true in the workplace.
If you’re getting negative feedback, try to see it as constructive criticism that can help you improve.
2. Be Grateful
It’s easy to focus on the negative, but try to take a step back and appreciate the good in your life. Whether it’s your health, your family, your friends, or your job, there are always things to be grateful for.
3. Find the Silver Lining
In every situation, there is always something positive that can be found. Even if it’s a difficult situation, try to focus on what you can learn from it or how it can make you stronger.
4. Be Solution-Oriented
Rather than dwelling on problems, try to focus on finding solutions. This positive mindset will help you move forward and make progress.
5. Practice Self-Care
It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep, and find ways to relax and de-stress.
When you’re taking care of yourself, you’re better able to manage your attitude and emotions.
Overcome Negative Thinking Patterns
Negative thinking patterns can be very harmful to our overall well-being.
They can lead to depression, anxiety, and a whole host of other mental and physical health problems. But the good news is that negative thinking patterns can be overcome with a little effort and perseverance.
Here are some tips for how to manage people’s attitudes.
1. Be Aware of Your Thoughts
The first step to overcoming negative thinking patterns is to become aware of your thoughts. Pay attention to the thoughts that are running through your head on a daily basis.
Are they mostly negative or positive?
2. Challenge Your Negative Thoughts
Once you become aware of your negative thoughts, you can begin to challenge them. Ask yourself if there is any evidence to support your negative thoughts.
Are they really true?
(Source)
3. Reframe Your Negative Thoughts
Another way to overcome negative thinking patterns is to reframe your thoughts. Instead of thinking “I’m such a failure,” try thinking “I’m doing my best”.
This simple change in perspective can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself.
4. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful tool for overcoming negative thinking patterns. When you focus on the things you’re grateful for, it’s difficult to focus on the negative.
So make a point to practice gratitude on a daily basis.
5. Be Kind to Yourself
Negative thinking patterns can be tough to break, so be patient with yourself. Be kind and understanding with yourself as you work to overcome these patterns.
Build Resilience to Setbacks and Criticism
It’s not easy to be a manager. Not only do you have to constantly be on the lookout for signs that your team is slacking off or not working together, but you also have to know how to manage people’s attitudes.
It can be difficult to keep everyone happy and motivated, especially when things are tough. One of the most important things you can do as a manager is to help your team members build resilience to setbacks and criticism.
No one likes to be told that they’re doing something wrong, but it’s a fact of life. What’s important is how you handle it.
If you can help your team members learn to take criticism in stride and not let it get them down, you’ll be doing them a huge favor.
Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
1. Help Them See the Big Picture
When someone is feeling down about criticism they’ve received, it’s important to help them see the big picture. Remind them that this is just one small setback and that they’re capable of overcoming it.
2. Encourage Them to Learn from Their Mistakes
No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them.
Encourage your team members to view criticism as a learning opportunity and they’ll be more likely to bounce back quickly.
3. Help Them Find the Silver Lining
In every situation, there is always a silver lining. It may be difficult to see at first, but with a little help, your team members will be able to find it.
Once they do, they’ll be in a much better place to overcome whatever setback they’re facing.
4. Be a Role Model
As a manager, you’re a role model for your team. If you’re able to take setbacks and criticism in stride, they’ll be more likely to do the same.
Show them that it’s possible to stay positive and motivated, even when things are tough. Building resilience in your team members is essential if you want them to be successful.
FAQs About How to Manage People’s Attitudes
How do you deal with someone’s attitude?
- Be secure
- Listen without judgment
- Take control of your time
- Act with intention, don’t react
- Set boundaries
- Accept responsibility
How do you manage employee attitude?
- Encourage open communication and feedback
- Foster a positive work environment
- Lead by example
- Recognize and reward positive attitudes and behavior
How do you tell someone their attitude is bad?
After providing clear feedback on what you observed and what you expected, be sure to encourage them.
You can say, “Now that you know what’s acceptable and what isn’t, I don’t think we’ll have any more issues”.
Conclusion
If you find yourself struggling with how to manage people’s attitudes, remember that the power of a positive outlook can be incredibly helpful.
By remaining positive and upbeat, you can help offset any negativity from others and maintain your own mental health and well-being.
If you want to be a better manager or leader, then Promotable.org has the resources for you! We can help improve your skills in communication, delegation, and conflict resolution so that you can lead more effectively. Visit our website today to learn more about what we can do for you.