Way to go!
DEVELOPING a positive work attitude is the key to maximising performance and making the job more enjoyable. Theory and research suggest that a combination of right attitude and work contentment results in inspired work.
The concept of `right attitude' is often ambiguous and may vary from company to company. You may consider yourself assertive, while others find you pushy and aggressive. If you are being authoritative, others find you dictatorial. If you are proactive, they call you nosy. If you mind your own business, you are labelled a loner. You may find transforming your attitude a Herculean task. Here are a few pointers to get you going.
Maturity
Being mature about it is very important because it puts things in perspective. You are less likely to lose your temper at the drop of a hat or dissolve into tears at every minor skirmish. Mature individuals are independent, self reliant and responsible. These are the kind of people employers look for, irrespective of age or qualification.
Proactivity
Proactivity means much more than merely taking initiative. It means taking responsibility and choosing your response to make things happen. Truly proactive people do not blame circumstances or conditioning. They are value driven. Being proactive does not mean being pushy, obnoxious or aggressive- on the other hand, it involves acknowledging one's responsibility to make things happen.
Leadership qualities
Not everyone has the ability to dictate terms and be authoritative but you can always be an active participant. Give inputs, share your thoughts and show a different perspective to things. Be an enthusiastic motivator and a facilitator. Be sensitive and get clued in to the emotional wavelength of your co-workers. You will be close to being a leader.
Team play
Most employers look for team players with the ability to interact and work together as a team. If you are a one-man island, better start building bridges! It is often said that individuals can only push the organisational bandwagon- it is the teams that pull it.
Independence and self-discipline
Organisations prefer self-reliant individuals who are spirited, independent and capable of making decisions.
Don't confuse self-reliance with stubbornness. Self-reliance should be laced with a good measure of responsibility and commitment; it could degenerate into plain pig-headedness.
Communication skills
An ability to interact and communicate with people around you is vital.
You don't have to pepper your speech with words culled from the Webster's dictionary or speak at twice the speed of sound, but make sure you get your point across in a simple and clear language.
Employers look for people with the right attitude and having an excellent score in that department may put you miles ahead of those high on experience but low on attitude.
You need to be tuned in to the culture of your organisation and the demands of your work in order to chalk out a balanced approach to both your work and co-workers.
BINDU SRIDHAR
faqs@cnkonline.com
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