We all know them. We've all met them. We've all worked with them at one time or another. They are the depressing ones.
You know who I'm talking about. They are friends, family members, co-workers, and business associates that are always in a bad mood, and have a negative attitude toward everything. Literally. No matter what the topic of discussion, or the idea, they see the downside; even if there isn't one. They never see the positive in anything. As a result, their attitude becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Things do always seem to turn out badly for them.
Why is that?
When they get an idea, instead of seeing both its positive and its negative aspects, they see only the downside. For them, there is no upside, no matter what the idea might entail in business or in their personal lives. They don't see the glass as half empty. The view the glass as bone dry. Because these people are so depressing, they are often kept out of the idea creation loop, and are kept from the management track upwards in the organization. While there are many examples of such people rising in the ranks, there are far more examples of positive people passing them by along the way.
Bad attitudes damage a career or a business venture. No one wants to around someone who is opposed to everything, negative about every idea, and little good to say about anything. The question for you, however, is how to utilize these people in a postive way for the better of the organization. While it might appear impossible on the surface, there are some benefits to be had from their idea of sober second thought.
When creating new ideas for the business, include the gloomy person in the planning and brainstorming session. Make it clear to them that all ideas, during the creation stage, are not up for criticism. The time for idea judgement will arrive later. Surprisingly, some of the most negative people will often provide the most novel ideas. After all, their life up until that point has been finding fault. They must have some concept of perfection hidden away as their guide.
When it's time for assessing the brainstormed ideas, they are at their best. Seeing the potential for doom and gloom is their chief stock in trade. With their hard questions, and mention of every conceivable disaster that could result, new ideas for preventing problems will be developed as well. Instead of an idea without a disaster plan, a double redundant backup system will now be in place. The negative force in the room has now become a partner in the planning and development of a new idea from start to completion. Perhaps even more importantly, fail safe plans are put into place in case things go horribly wrong.
Instead of avoiding the negative person in your company, use their natural talents for criticism in a productive and innovative way. Let them help you avoid the pitfalls that await some hastily developed plan.
No longer will that person be considered a problem employee, but rather an important member of the team. Their entire attitude toward their job and their life could be changed forever.
What could be more positive than that?
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