Page 77 - Becoming a Successful Manager

68 ESTABLISHING A SOLID DEPARTMENTAL FOUNDATION

the department. I ignore John and allow others to follow my lead. I
keep him isolated from the rest of the department.

2. Now come up with a positive statement about someone you know,
again using the person’s name. Follow the same procedure as you did
in the fi rst part of this exercise.
Example: Mary is conscientious and wants to succeed.
Attitudes I harbor toward Mary: She is a great addition to the
department. Mary can be counted on to help anyone in the depart-
ment who needs it. Because she’s eager to learn, I want to help her in
any way I can so she’ll succeed. I’m eager to have her represent our
department at major meetings with other departments.
Actions that result from my positive attitudes toward Mary: I

include her in any project that could benefit from her expertise. I use
her as a mentor for new employees requiring special attention. I go
out of my way to teach her what I know.
What you should have discovered from this exercise is that posi-
tive attitudes lead to productive actions and negative attitudes lead
to unproductive actions. To be a successful, professional manager,
encourage positive attitudes from all members of your department.

Questions to Consider

• People who have positive attitudes tend to look at the whole.
Those with negative attitudes do not see the W—they tend to
focus on the hole. As a manager, one of your obligations is to
teach your employees to add Ws in their lives. Therefore, how

can you fulfill this obligation?

• Suppose you have a person in your department whose actions
reflect a negative attitude? What specifi cally can you do to help

this person alter his or her actions?