5 Ways to Improve Employee Attitudes
By Debra J. Schmidt
A CEO of a large company once asked me to give him tips on how he could improve the attitudes of his employees. He said that he was concerned because it seemed like negative attitudes were permeating throughout many of the company's departments. I told him that if he is noticing those attitudes, so are his customers.
Here are the five steps I suggested he implement to begin improving employee attitudes:
- As you hire new employees, focus primarily on their attitudes, not just their skills. Most skills can be taught, but attitudes cannot. Pay very careful attention to the demeanor, attitude, and enthusiasm of job candidates. If there is even the slightest doubt in your mind about their sincerity—don't hire them.
- Seriously consider terminating employees who continue to be extremely negative even after they have been given several opportunities to improve their behavior. Attitudes are contagious. No matter how productive an employee is, consistently negative behavior such as criticizing co-workers or the company can take down the morale of an entire work team.
- The CEO, president, or owner needs to reserve two hours per week to visit employees throughout the company and personally meet them and acknowledge their individual efforts. Do not schedule the visits for the same time each week, or they will become predictable and lose their impact. Take time to chat for a few minutes with each of your employees, and be sure to listen to their suggestions. Sincerity is a must!
- Hold employees, particularly senior managers, accountable for their attitudes and behavior toward their co-workers. Require all managers to attend customer service training programs along with their employees.
- Thank your employees every chance you get. Hand-written notes, personal comments, or phone calls to employees are effective methods for improving internal attitudes. They are also more powerful tools for building loyalty than carefully planned employee recognition programs.
Regards
From India, Madras
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457By Debra J. Schmidt
A CEO of a large company once asked me to give him tips on how he could improve the attitudes of his employees. He said that he was concerned because it seemed like negative attitudes were permeating throughout many of the company's departments. I told him that if he is noticing those attitudes, so are his customers.
Here are the five steps I suggested he implement to begin improving employee attitudes:
- As you hire new employees, focus primarily on their attitudes, not just their skills. Most skills can be taught, but attitudes cannot. Pay very careful attention to the demeanor, attitude, and enthusiasm of job candidates. If there is even the slightest doubt in your mind about their sincerity—don't hire them.
- Seriously consider terminating employees who continue to be extremely negative even after they have been given several opportunities to improve their behavior. Attitudes are contagious. No matter how productive an employee is, consistently negative behavior such as criticizing co-workers or the company can take down the morale of an entire work team.
- The CEO, president, or owner needs to reserve two hours per week to visit employees throughout the company and personally meet them and acknowledge their individual efforts. Do not schedule the visits for the same time each week, or they will become predictable and lose their impact. Take time to chat for a few minutes with each of your employees, and be sure to listen to their suggestions. Sincerity is a must!
- Hold employees, particularly senior managers, accountable for their attitudes and behavior toward their co-workers. Require all managers to attend customer service training programs along with their employees.
- Thank your employees every chance you get. Hand-written notes, personal comments, or phone calls to employees are effective methods for improving internal attitudes. They are also more powerful tools for building loyalty than carefully planned employee recognition programs.
Regards
From India, Madras
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First of all, we should thank MJS for his excellent reply to your query. His explanations will surely clear your doubt.
The Importance of Attitude
I wish to add a few words about attitude. I'm not sure if attitude is everything, but I am sure that it affects everything. Your home life, your job, and all that lies in between are either made better or worse by our attitude.
We should cultivate a winning attitude in order to lead a meaningful life. The following principles are recommended:
1. Realize You Have Control
The great thing about your attitude is that it's yours. You cannot control what others say or do, but you can control how it affects you. No one can put you in a bad mood unless you give them permission. If someone cuts you off or criticizes your work, you have to make a choice. Give them permission to change your attitude or keep the control for yourself. I suggest you keep the control. You're probably better at it than others to begin with.
2. Be Thankful
Each day, you must put things in perspective. You are alive, something that billions of those before us cannot say. You have food and shelter and Internet access, something that millions alive today do not enjoy. You have a choice, something that you should cherish every waking moment. Once you are thankful for the things you have, not having something won't matter as much. You may not be exactly where you want to be, but remember there is always someone who has less and is happy with it.
3. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Remember what's important and let the little things roll by. Once you focus on the bigger picture, you will find less frustration and fewer headaches in your daily interactions with others. The things that matter most could be your health and happiness, or your family's health and happiness. Ask yourself, when a problem arises, if you can let it go without any negative effects. For example, if someone cuts you off, could you ignore it and go on with your life without any negative effects? Of course, you could and should. All the anger in the world can't change the unchangeable; all it can do is swipe minutes from your day and peace from your life.
Source (Part): http://www.motivation123.com/attitude-articles-01.html
Regards,
From India, Madras
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The Importance of Attitude
I wish to add a few words about attitude. I'm not sure if attitude is everything, but I am sure that it affects everything. Your home life, your job, and all that lies in between are either made better or worse by our attitude.
We should cultivate a winning attitude in order to lead a meaningful life. The following principles are recommended:
1. Realize You Have Control
The great thing about your attitude is that it's yours. You cannot control what others say or do, but you can control how it affects you. No one can put you in a bad mood unless you give them permission. If someone cuts you off or criticizes your work, you have to make a choice. Give them permission to change your attitude or keep the control for yourself. I suggest you keep the control. You're probably better at it than others to begin with.
2. Be Thankful
Each day, you must put things in perspective. You are alive, something that billions of those before us cannot say. You have food and shelter and Internet access, something that millions alive today do not enjoy. You have a choice, something that you should cherish every waking moment. Once you are thankful for the things you have, not having something won't matter as much. You may not be exactly where you want to be, but remember there is always someone who has less and is happy with it.
3. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Remember what's important and let the little things roll by. Once you focus on the bigger picture, you will find less frustration and fewer headaches in your daily interactions with others. The things that matter most could be your health and happiness, or your family's health and happiness. Ask yourself, when a problem arises, if you can let it go without any negative effects. For example, if someone cuts you off, could you ignore it and go on with your life without any negative effects? Of course, you could and should. All the anger in the world can't change the unchangeable; all it can do is swipe minutes from your day and peace from your life.
Source (Part): http://www.motivation123.com/attitude-articles-01.html
Regards,
From India, Madras
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You are right, AVS Sir. Most companies repeatedly make the same mistake when hiring a new employee. Companies often focus solely on skills and overlook the critical aspect of attitude. As you mentioned, you can't teach or change someone's attitude. Very useful information.
Kind Regards,
Ajay Diwedi
From India, New Delhi
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Kind Regards,
Ajay Diwedi
From India, New Delhi
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Thank you for the comments; they are wonderful. I am glad I opened this; otherwise, I would have missed a valuable lesson. Thanks again, and let us all keep our HR company thriving so we can become as good, if not better, than the best social interrelationship people in both our personal and professional lives.
From Mauritius
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From Mauritius
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