#105: Dr Wally's 'Parting Shot' #4

Here’s Dr Wally’s Parting Shot #4: Don’t talk about people’s attitudes; talk about their behaviors.

Tell me, what is a bad attitude? Be careful now. Everyone thinks their attitude is good, even you do. If I told you had a bad attitude, you would disagree. The reason is that attitude is a perception.

The word ‘attitude’ triggers defensive reactions because it draws attention to the individual rather than to the problem. The problem is the individual’s ‘behavior’, not his attitude.

Attitude doesn’t get work done. Behavior does. It is irrelevant whether you wear a frown, ignore your coworkers, or dislike your job, unless these affect the work to be done. Attitude is not the issue; work is the issue. The question you should ask is, how do these behaviors affect the work?

Are you responsible for how others feel? No. You are responsible to get the work done.



I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2007 James Henry McIntosh

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