Virtually all the advice on getting people to engage in their work and increase their productivity is predicated on a false assumption, namely that outside influence will result in lasting internal change, stimulating pride, purpose, motivation and a positive attitude. Unlike animals, human beings have the power to choose inappropriate behaviour, substandard performance, and a negative attitude, and willfully do so, even in the face of overwhelming negative consequences. Saying that, the current model for engaging people in their work and increasing their productivity is ineffective. Alternatively, leadership needs to focus its energy on the high- and mid-level performers rather than investing valuable leader time in those who are choosing substandard attitudes and behaviours.
As a leaders you like to believe that the individuals you hire already have an understanding of the values and ethics required to be successful in the workplace. Unfortunately, some people are working only for their paycheck, regardless of their capability to perform tasks to standards and regardless of their pitiful attitude and toxic behaviour toward others.
Ghandi said, “be the change you want to see in the world.” Absolutely, leaders must lead by example in their own behaviour, to create monumental impact and culture change — and it works with rational, functional, productive employees. Unfortunately, dysfunction employees only breed further dysfunction, despite leadership example. Toxic employees who never desire to alter unproductive and harmful behaviour lack the ability and desire to change. Even under the best leaders and best circumstances.
No amount of encouragement, incentive, coaching, counseling, positive reinforcement, discipline, or “how-positive-I-am-in-my-belief” that they can change has any impact on these people. Until they choose to become a different person, a more positive person, a more caring person, a less selfish person, a less bitter person, a less angry person, a less “the world owes me” kind of person, we are left with little choice but to remove them from our organizations as quickly as possible. When we do, teamwork will improve within and across department lines. There will be an immediate release of creativity and prudent risk taking, as well as innovation to improve processes and drive performance to higher levels.
Connectivity within the organization will increase, along with people’s innate skill of Positive Presence that connects workplace behaviour to emotional energy developing the mindset and behaviour skills needed for strong and lasting connections.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.