Negativity in the workplace can be incredibly damaging. It can lead to low morale, high staff turnover, and poor productivity. As a manager or business leader, it’s important to recognise the signs of negativity and take action to create a more positive culture. This article explores strategies for dealing with workplace negativity.
Recognise the Signs
The first step is to watch out for any indicators of negativity among your team. Signs may include:
- Lots of complaining and criticising
- Gossiping and spreading rumours
- Lack of enthusiasm and low energy
- Resistance to change
- Calling in sick frequently
If you notice multiple employees exhibiting these behaviours, it likely indicates an underlying culture of negativity.
Identify the Sources
Try to pinpoint the root causes of negativity. Common sources include:
- Poor communication or lack of feedback from leadership
- Unclear expectations
- Feeling excluded from decision-making
- Insufficient recognition and rewards
- Poor office environment or excessive workloads
Understanding the origins of negativity will help you know how to address it effectively.
Cultivate Open Communication
Building an open, transparent culture is key to tackling negativity. Employees need to feel comfortable voicing concerns and providing feedback. Consider these tips:
- Hold regular team meetings where everyone can share ideas and ask questions.
- Maintain an open-door policy so employees can discuss issues one-on-one.
- Survey staff anonymously to identify problems.
- Clarify decision-making processes so people feel included.
Honest, two-way communication prevents negativity from festering.
Provide Training and Workshops
Sometimes negativity arises from skill deficits rather than motivational issues. Employees who lack empathy, emotional intelligence, resilience, and communication skills will struggle with workplace relationships.
Investing in training can pay dividends. Workshops focused on teamwork, managing stress, resolving conflict and leadership can equip staff with positivity-boosting capabilities.
Incorporate Team Building Exercises
Bringing your team together regularly for team-building activities promotes goodwill between colleagues. Games, competitions, off-site adventures, and social events are great for breaking down barriers.
A shared sense of camaraderie and team spirit naturally erodes negativity. It reminds everyone they’re working towards a common goal.
Consider Hiring a Workplace Consultant
For significant or ingrained negativity issues, hiring a professional workplace consultant could be beneficial. Culture consultants and culture change consultants specialise in diagnosing company culture issues and providing solutions.
A skilled culture consultancy can conduct surveys and interviews to pinpoint areas for improvement. Workplace consultants versed in culture change can then offer recommendations tailored to your organisation. They have expertise in workplace relationships, leadership strategies, change management, and more.
The investment of hiring workplace consultants may be well worth it if they can help transform your company culture and combat negativity for the long-term.
Focus on Positive Reinforcement
Carrots are usually more effective than sticks when it comes to behaviour change. When employees exhibit optimism, collaboration, high effort, and constructive thinking, make sure you notice and praise those behaviours.
Positive reinforcement will help spread positivity, while criticising negativity often backfires. Maintain open communication without judgement.
Keep Perspective During Setbacks
When projects go wrong or you suffer temporary defeats, it’s easy for negativity to swell. In these situations especially, it’s vital that you remain the voice of reason and positivity.
If the leader gives into gloominess and pessimism, employees will follow suit. Focus on lessons learned, express determination to do better next time, and watch your team’s resilience build.
Negativity is one of the biggest threats to an organisation’s success and culture. But by encouraging open communication, providing training, promoting teamwork, and leading with positivity, you can overcome negativity. If it is deeply ingrained, don’t be afraid to enlist help from professional workplace consultants. With consistent effort, you can build an uplifting and inspiring workplace.
