Good Mood, Good Leadership: The Hidden Skill of Success
Recently, I had a work friend tell me, “My boss asked me to smile more and be more pleasant when in the office area. That’s not natural for me! Why would he ask me to do that?”
Caught off-guard - I wasn’t sure how to respond – because I’m not in his leader’s head, right? Looking back, I gave a response that was more B.S. than professional. And he, rightfully, called me on it!
Personally and professionally, I agree with leaders always showing a positive attitude. ALWAYS! But I wasn’t in touch with my why about that! Then I happened upon the following by Mel Robbins and thought … “this!”
“One of the single greatest skills you need to develop in life is to have a good attitude for no reason. Most people are pretty good at being in a bad mood and having a bad attitude for no reason, right? What if you could train yourself to be in a good mood and to have a good attitude for no reason at all?”
According to Mel Robbins, this is a skill. You can train your brain to believe and to look for good things. You deserve to be in a good mood for no reason. This can be your natural setting—your default setting. Why would you want to do this? Better question: Why would you NOT want to do this unless, of course, you are happier when you are not in a good mood! (Hmmm … is that a double negative? You still get my point, right?)
Positive role models in leadership:
1. Boosts Morale – positive energy is contagious and leads to higher engagement.
2. Enhances Communication – positive leaders are more approachable which fosters collaboration.
3. Encourages Creativity – A good mood can spark creativity and innovation.
4. Sets the Tone for the Workplace – Leaders establish the culture of the organization. A positive leader can help foster a culture of positivity, inclusivity and support.
5. Attracts/Retains Talent – Leaders who create a positive atmosphere are likely to attract and retain top talent.
With deadlines looming and constant demands coming at us, is this realistic? And should it be a priority? That’s for you to decide! And while you are thinking about it, also think about how much more time you might have if your team retention was higher.
Convinced, but need some help? Following are a few tips – but, remember, nothing works well if it isn’t authentic – if it doesn’t come from your heart. (A fake smile and a fake good mood while walking in the office area will surely do more harm than good!) Pro-tips:
1. Practice Gratitude – what are you truly grateful for in your life and in your work?
2. Set Realistic Goals – break down tasks into manageable goals. This provides a sense of accomplishment and naturally boosts your mood.
3. Connect with colleagues – Build positive relationships by interacting with positive co-workers. Don’t fall into the trap of talking about what’s wrong – build new habits by talking about what’s right. This will build momentum and gives you energy to take on those things that need to be tackled!
4. Limit Negative Influences – should we repeat it? Don’t fall into the trap of talking about negative/toxic news, or gossip.
5. Celebrate wins – small wins and big wins! And celebrate with those who look to you for leadership!
I am hoping to re-engage with my work friend and thank him for calling B.S. on my response to his question. It made me think! And I can’t wait to engage in a stimulating conversation with him about this! One thing I know for sure …I, personally, would prefer to work for and with others that are upbeat and positive – and show it! What about you?
Learn more about Emotional Intelligence, How to deal with Drama in the Workplace, and Communication/Conflict Resolution in our new and improved Leadership Development 2.0 series starting on November 4th, HERE.
