Encouraging Pure Possibility
In the current climate in many organizations, there seems to be an ever-growing legion of naysayers and grumblers. Negative attitudes can bring whole legions of employees down (remember the saying that “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch”?).
Although a leader isn’t expected to be Pollyanna, they may find it important to keep morale up. There is a way of taking negative statements and turning them around into pure possibility; a place most of us love to visit.
This technique, often used by coaches, doesn’t always work to bring spirits up (the real “Negative Nancy’s” may stomp out of the room), but it can sometimes change an otherwise unconstructive conversation into something more positive and open a window in a negative conversation into hope and possibility. It can also break through negative judgments and assumptions. Here are some examples of the technique:
Downer comment: “We can’t possibly accomplish that.”
Your response: “If it was possible, how would you do it?”
Downer comment: “It would take too long to do that.”
Your response: “If it takes too long, how can you make it short?”
Downer comment: “He has so much going for him, but isn’t performing well.”
Your response: “If that individual isn’t performing well, how can you (or we) help him to perform better?”
Downer comment: “I can’t talk to him .”
Your response: “If you could talk to him, what would you say?”
Downer comment: “I don’t have time in my day for that.”
Your response: “If you had time in your day, how much could you spare?”
You get the picture. Try raising some spirits, hope, and possibility in your organization using this technique!
Continue reading here: Reflecting On Your 360 Degree Feedback
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mackenzie cameron4 months ago
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