Attitude is contagious – What are people catching from YOU?
BySeveral things on a team are not contagious. Talent. Experience. Willingness to practice. But you can be sure of one thing: Attitude is catching. When someone on the team is teachable and his humility is rewarded by improvement, others are more likely to display similar characteristics. When a leader is upbeat in the face of discouraging circumstances, others admire that quality and want to be like her.… People have a tendency to adopt the attitudes of those they spend time with – to pick up on their mindset, beliefs, and approaches to challenges.
One of my mentors, Fred Smith, once told me there are two kinds of people in any organization: polluters and purifiers.
Polluters are like smokestacks, belching out dirty smoke all the time. They hate clear skies, and no matter how clear the air is, they can find a way to poison it with gloom. When the people around them “breathe” their toxins, they feel sicker and sicker.
Purifiers, on the other hand, make everything around them better. It doesn’t matter what kind of rotten atmosphere they encounter. They take in the toxic words of polluters in the organization just as everyone else does, but they filter the words before passing them on. What goes in may be gloomy and negative, but when it comes back out, it’s fresh and clear.
When you spend time with others, do they walk away feeling better or worse? Do you clear the air, giving them a fresh perspective and positive encouragement? Or do they go away feeling gloomy? Watch how people respond to you, and you’ll know which kind of person you are.
More on attitude and teamwork can be found in Today Matters, and The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork.
Awesome word for today! Thanks for sharing!
This came at a great time for me – thanks for sharing!
Whoa. Snapped me out of denial. I have not been actively trying to stop polluting. I need to care more as a leader about attitude climate change.
Thanks for great, insightful reminders. We are always surrounded by either polluters or purifiers. But in reality, those two traits can be present in a person at the same time. Therefore, my greatest challenge as a leader is dealing with people who sometimes (or a few times!) act as a purifier but most of the time, function as a pollutant.
Such wisdom. It made me think about the power of words. Growing up a common saying is “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Words really do have power A good analogy is when David spoke “Why so downcast oh my sould?” As soon as the words were spoken He immediately spoke defeat, discouragment to his spirit man. The same is true when the words were spoken “The joy of the LORD will be my strength.
Whatever a person does for 21 days becomes a habit in short it becomes second nature whether the person realizes it or not.
Anytime a person speaks something negative around me I immediately tear it down and replace it with God’s word. God made me to be Victorious, overcomer not defeated.
Everyone will run into both types of people in a given day
Everyone has been given free will when it comes to their response
sending
Waaao, good staff! this can only come from a wise man like you Maxwell.. God bles you!
While there are many things in life that are beyond our control, the one thing we can control is our attitude. I’m convinced that attitude is a major influence in how we play the game of life. It is what sets people apart; it defines the winners from the losers. The truth is nobody really enjoys the polluters – unless they themselves are polluters. I always try to be a person who comes to the table with possible solutions rather than a list of complaints. I find it makes me a much healthier and happier person when I choose to be a purifier rather than a polluter!
Great inspiration and contemplation John!
These words are true. Thanks
Amazing stuff. What Mozart did with music…you do with words. Everything makes sense. Your words changed my life and got me promoted to a position that requires much more than the bachelors degree I already have. Thanks.
John,
Thanks for these words of encouragement. I really enjoy being able to read your blog each day and your books have made a huge difference in my life.
John, how I just be conscious & reminded with this “People have a tendency to adopt the attitudes of those they spend time with – to pick up on their mindset, beliefs, and approaches to challenges.” John, your writings always supportive: bring optimism & keep up my spirit. Hope with follow your writings more often, I’ve got contagious more of yours — it’s how you’ve been living up your life.
John this is perfect!!!!!God knows what is right for us and our teams everyday!
There were a lot of argues continuing team projects. I should try to be a ‘purifier’. ^^
God desires His children be in the world, but not influenced by the world. We may find ourselves in awful circumstances, but our internal atmosphere should not reflect external environment. Paul shed light on the fruits of Gods spirit that should be manifested inside the environment where He abides. We are the temple, the dwelling place of the Living God. Allow Him in to resonate His life in you and be purified by his presence.
great learnings today, i stop thinking others but this and strated to think of who i am and if as a leader did i make my colleague feel better after talking to me. this is also a wake up call to me. i’ll look for this books
a million thanks for this…
John…thanks so much for ur words of encouragements! i really apprecaiet every bite of it! May God keep u!
John, Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I always walk away from your books and blogs with a new perspective. I try to pass along your articles to my boss and my co-workers to help improve the team!
Thanks again for a great remidner we will pass this on!
Greetings John,
Recently I discovered your work through LTD. Thanks for this blog, like all your work, simple and pround.
Trying hard not to allow a bad attitude bubble out of me, and allowing the Spirit fo help me to be what God would expect me to be. I Have not always been the best, but climbing up is always challenging! We are hoping to improve are attitude. I’ve always had something to pop up in my mind when under pressure,but have found its not always best to say whats on your mind, it can get you in to a lot of trouble. Attitude can give you a good smell or it can give you an odor no one wants to be around. I pray to be ordor free. Thanks John love ya for that!!! And God Bless. Charles
Thank You John!!!
Re-posting this! Thx John for sharing!
Thank you for John for sharing, I appreciate that.