Nowadays, negativity is an increasing problem in the workplace environment. Human Resource is one of the key departments of every organization and is one of the primary solutions to deal with workplace negativity. The duties of an HR must be performing for the benefits of the organization as a whole. HR professionals should inform all employees about the detrimental effects within the organization. Gary S. Topchik states that negativity is an increasing problem in the workplace and often results in loss of confidence.
Workplace conflicts can be one of the greatest causes of employee stress. When a negative workplace is being allowed to persist, it can begin to affect everyone in the company. Managers or HR professionals should at least learn about workplace negativity.
As a leader, preventing negativity by recognizing early warning signs, and the best method of handling it. Negativity is in gossip, attitude, general communication, and even a warp in a business’s outlook. Negativity in the workplace drains energy and diverts attention from productivity and performance. Because of this, leaders need to be proactive in maintaining a culture of possibility. Leaders should communicate with the key perpetrators for them to understand the impacts of their behavior.
It is important to express positive language by sharing success stories and co-worker’s successes. Staying active and engaged will also promote a healthy work environment and allow leaders to lead by example. Negativity is contagious and if a change in attitude is the goal, it starts with being the example, for others to follow. Changing habit isn’t easy. Leading by example includes showing your team how to communicate and interact with others and be the model who they want to see. Honest communication holds a strong and successful relationship with leaders, managers, and employees.
Negative thinking can spread like wildfire across a positive workplace. It’s insidious and difficult to understand and control. But, employers have the opportunity to keep employee negativity from gaining a foothold.
These eight tips will help you cut workplace negativity.
- Provide opportunities for people to make decisions about and control and/or influence their own job.
- Allow people to express their opinion about workplace policies and procedures. Changes to these can cause serious negative responses. Provide timely, proactive responses to questions and concerns.
- Treat people as adults with fairness and consistency.
- Treat your employees as if they are trustworthy and worthy of your respect—because they are. Employees have radar machines and they are scoping out their work environment.
- Do not create rules for all employees when a few people are violating the norms. You want to reduce the number of rules directing the behavior of adult people at work.
- Help people feel included—each person wants to have the same information as everyone else. Provide the context for decisions, and communicate effectively and constantly.
- Afford people the opportunity to grow and develop. Make your commitment to employee growth and development by creating mutually developed career path plans for every employee.
- Provide appropriate leadership and a strategic framework, including mission, vision, and goals. People make better decisions for your business when you empower them with the information they need to make decisions that tactically align with your general direction.
Combating negativity is not an impossible challenge, you have to go about it in a strategic manner. As an individual, you have the power to make a change. Preventing negativity can start with one single person taking action. Will you be that person? All it takes is having the courage to start and take a stand against negative behaviors and actions.
