The power of positivity

It's been a long day and one project after another piles up on your desk. There are personal conflicts or problems with clients. You haven't had time for lunch and are tired after not getting enough sleep. Now, as you're about to walk into your weekly meeting with your staff, the very last thought on your mind is: remember to be positive. We've all been there.

While maintaining a positive outlook is challenging when your work life is overwhelming, as a leader, you set the mood and tone of the office. If you are constantly negative or apathetic about your work, your employees may follow suit, thus pushing out positivity from the workplace. As a leader, your job is more than just making decisions and maintaining your staff - you must be conscious of your words and actions as well. If you are looking for ways to become a better leader in your office, here are two tips about the power of positivity:

Words can build people up - or tear them down
You have most likely heard the rhyme "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" at one point in your life. Unfortunately, this phrase is not completely honest. Words have the power to bring people up - or tear them down. Take time to reflect on the most recent conversations you held with your staff. Did you take time to listen to their concerns and respond appropriately? Perhaps you were short with them, not taking the time to be empathetic and hear them out?

One of the key tenants of positive leadership is positive phrasing. While you don't have to "sugarcoat" difficult situations or conversations, it is important to envision the outcome of each of your conversations. Do you want to encourage your staff or bring them down a level? With this in mind, remember to choose your words wisely and not let your employees suffer because you are having a bad day.

Your outlook can brighten your day - or darken it. 
How you view challenges in your day determines how you will handle them or feel as a result. If you have an important meeting coming up, but little time to prepare, if you are a negative-minded leader, you may feel rushed or put in minimal effort because you feel you have no other choice. Positive leaders, meanwhile, will understand that they might not have as much preparation time as they would have prepared, but will carefully plan out their day so they can still be as thorough as possible. 

Essentially, your outlook can brighten your day - or darken it. Those with positive views, see challenges just as they are: challenges. On the other hand, negative individuals may distort these challenges, seeing them as roadblocks or dead ends instead. While negative leaders can still overcome these challenges, they may be less likely to appreciate their accomplishment or value their team for their hard work because they are too caught up in doubt or negative thoughts.

Ultimately, positivity is a powerful tool that can help you become a better leader. If you are an early childhood education professional looking to learn more about your field, ProSolutions Training offers plenty of online child care courses and online CDA classes. Please contact us today to see how we can help empower you in your career.