Negativity - Quick, call the Centre for Disease Control!!

Recently on LinkedIn someone asked the simple question "What are different ways to eliminate negativity in people around you?"


It sounds simple doesn't it: "Hey Doc, I've got a case of negativity in my organisation, what do you suggest?"... "Take some pain killers, Echinacea and Vitamin C, drink plenty of fluids and get some bed rest"... 


Unfortunately it doesn't work as easy as that. 

I'm an inherently positive person, not your Snow White and Bunny Rabbits prancing around type, but nonetheless, consistently happy and positive in my outlook on life. My instinct and initial response is much more likely to be YES, than it is to be NO! I certainly understand the need for trepidation, caution and playing devil's advocate when appropriate, so I know how negativity can be used as a tool. However, I've seen many an instance where it is like a disease. We've all seen negativity in organisations, maybe we've contributed to that in someway. If it is consistent and detrimental to an organisation, can it be "eliminated"?

There is also a bigger question of whether the negativity you are being exposed to in others is the result of:

1. Ingrained and habitually negative behaviour in most things a person(s) does... or...
2. Their negativity is towards specific tasks or projects. 

Negativity isn't always like a mild flu virus that just takes some bed rest and a few vitamins to resolve, if it's habitual in someone, it's more like a form of Obesity. It takes a life changing decisions and ongoing resolve, on the part of that individual, for that form of negativity to change. It can take honest, heartfelt and considerate discussions and mentoring from a friend or colleague to be the catalyst for that change. If ongoing mentoring  doesn't help, it could be an indicator around depression or other mental health issue and much more specific assistance is required. This should be acted upon!

Where it's related to a task or project, this form of negativity can be as contagious as swine flu. If you have faith, you could involving the negativity 'host' in decision making processes and giving them ownership in the task or project. This can assist, especially if there is strong and logical reasoning for their perspective. Have them clearly discuss, document and prove the reasoning behind their negativity. If they aren't able to do this in a logical and clear manner, or there is simply no merit to it, then they need to be removed from the task or project for the sake of the future.


I'm going to generalise a bit here... 
Positivity comes from happiness within, an "I accept all responsibility" attitude. 
Negativity can often come from a "it's not my fault" attitude. 
Maybe you can trigger the ownership with them to overcome the blame game.


If you've tried multiple interventions, you might ask yourself "What if a person seems almost evil in nature but you still have hope in them?"... in my experience, I've tried over long periods of time with those type of people using multiple interventions. The unfortunate truth is, their strength of that type of negativity is far greater than the positive influence you might attempt. A little like kryptonite to superman. The danger is, your strength can be drained if you're exposed to long.


I've hate giving up on others, maybe you do to. My advice. Clearly map out some time periods and interventions you wish to attempt, maybe even communicate this with the person. Stick to those timelines so that you're not dragged in and weakened. Be firm and walk away when the time expires...


In a business environment, sometimes the negativity, the blame game, etc comes from the simple fact they aren't right for the job or organisation. I've followed up on people that have left or been fired from an organisation due to negativity, or maybe they've changed roles within the same organisation. If they find the right role, the change is instant, dramatic and ongoing. 


Managers -  Take head, are you the cause of the negativity? Is there a cultural component that has been breed? Change it now! Take risk, take responsibility and take action. If it is a singular person or group that is the cause, call them on it, set timelines for change or repercussions. If they don't change, time to spring clean... you'll be amazed how quickly the breathe of fresh air of positivity will breeze through the organisation.


Employees - Are you the cause or are you blaming others around you? Have you clearly outlined validity around your negative outlook. Are you able to change or is it simply that your time in that role or that organisation is done? A change is as good as a holiday, so can you create a change in your role, your responsibilities or maybe even your job so that positivity and creativity return to your life?