By John Baldoni
John Baldoni, author of The Leader’s Pocket Guide, offers 101 indispensable tools, tips, and techniques for any situation. One is getting employees to look on the bright side, that is, viewing the “glass as half full rather than a half empty.” In Baldoni’s view, that is a leader’s job and he offers three ways to instill positivism:
Never sugarcoat reality. Employees know when things are bad. If you seek to hold back information, they will assume the worst. The company “grapevine” thrives on rumors, especially bad ones. Talk frankly about the business and emphasize each employee’s role as a contributor. I use that last word deliberately. Address employees as contributors, not as costs.
Challenge people. Rethink the business. Invite employees to come up with ideas for improvements. Give them the authority to turn good ideas into action steps.
Look ahead. Tough times are the best time to think about who is capable of leading the organization. Such leadership is not reserved for those at the top. It will fall to the men and women who demonstrate by virtue of their ideas and their actions that they can help their companies survive, and even thrive, now.
Excerpted, with permission of the publisher, from The Leader’s Pocket Guide:101 Indispensable Tools, Tips, and Techniques for Any Situation by John Baldoni. Copyright 2012, John Baldoni.
About the Author(s)
John Baldoni is a recognized author and speaker.