A Real Story About Attitude
Recently, a leader I know had an employee come charging into his office—frantic,
tense, and anxious. He was like a cat trapped in a pillowcase—ready to claw his way
out. Just moments earlier, he’d gotten into a heated situation with a coworker, and now
he was looking for a way to escape the fallout. Others had to step in quickly to calm
things down.
Attitude influences every part of workplace engagement—productivity, morale,
teamwork, and even safety. And unfortunately, negativity is contagious. One disengaged
or unhappy employee can drag down an entire team or department, damaging
performance and overall health. Leaders must address it quickly or allow the poison to
spread.
Attitude adjustments aren’t just for struggling employees. They’re a vital part of building
and maintaining a thriving workplace. Yet many leaders check out and fail to nurture a
positive culture. The truth is: attitude work is essential. Your choice to be proactive—or
just reactive—makes all the difference.
In this case, the employee was eventually let go. The evidence of poor behavior had
piled up, and this final event pushed things past the point of repair. While the leader had
to manage the aftermath with the team, he knew it was the right decision.
Thanks for your leadership. Keep being proactive about growing positive attitudes.
— Jeff
