How to succeed in life:Right attitude at work key to success

Right attitude at work key to success

By Shubha Subbaraman, TNN

Broadly speaking, there are four kinds of employees:

(1) The over enthusiastic ones, who think they can bring about a revolution overnight

(2) Those who look at corporates as a doomed entity with no redemption whatsoever

(3) the I-don’t-care kind and finally

(4) those who perceive every situation objectively and are constructive in their actions.

Unfortunately, no matter how efficient you are, if you don’t have the right approach towards the job, the results will be evident. Each employee has his/her stance about several aspects of their career and job in particular.

Thus, the key to success begins with the realisation that everything is a matter of attitude, and thus, having the right attitude can really work wonders for your career.

The right attitude

Adopting an extreme approach all the time is unacceptable, states Praveena Parikh, who works as an inhouse counsellor with a leading KPO, “Irrespective of whether your bent is positive or negative, its important to strike the balance.”

For example, some people make tall claims of what they can do, but their achievement is null. On the other hand, there are others who accept every situation the way it is. If you look at it objectively, neither of the two is actually productive.

Employees with the right kind of attitude can help take the company to the next level. However, by right attitude we do not imply positivity alone. It’s fair on the part of the employee to feel let down or unhappy about a particular instance or situation. But venting that anger or disappointment in the most appropriate manner, or more importantly, in a productive manner is what matters, adds Parikh.

Mentor matter

The attitude of an employee is one of the key attributes that is evaluated during the recruitment process.

When it comes to recruitment, the attitude of an employee and his/her belief in oneself has as much to do as his/her core abilities and skill sets, explains HR executive Narayani Shastri, “For example, very often we have candidates who think they are in control of technically every situation.

Their confidence levels appear to be at its peak. Self confidence is important, but over confidence can be a disaster as such candidates are difficult to mould. They come with a mindset and stick to it.”

Elaborating on this, Parikh, feels, “The learning curve is limited in such cases, and ego clashes are quite common, thus stimulating negativity among team members.”

So how do you strike the balance?

Start positive:

To begin with, start with a positive attitude towards your job and your colleagues/supervisor. Be open to ideas, and ready to expect change as well as accept change in its varied forms.

Resist negativity:

No matter how much you want to shun it, you cannot escape negativity. It’s all around you. Therefore, it’s important to resist it for your own benefit. For example, when you hear something negative from a colleague or friend, understand that you may be getting only one aspect of the whole situation. The other side of the bread could also be buttered. Therefore, be your own judge.

Opinion matters:

It’s best to form your own opinion/s about people/situations rather than following the herd mentality; but before you do so, remember to assess the situation objectively.

So how do you strike the balance?

Be constructive:

As Ravi Patel, who works as a Manager, HR (Initiatives for employee welfare) with a BPO, explains, “Constructive feedback is always a boon. Therefore for any problems you may be facing, it’s best to approach the concerned people and get it sorted rather than crib over it. Unlike popular belief, the job of the HR team is not just to support the requirements of the management. Happy employees are an asset to the company, and therefore, one of their key roles of HR is to ensure that employees are satisfied and their grievances are addressed appropriately.’’

Break free:

Humour and enthusiasm are two key elements that can always keep energy levels high. Try to find humour even in hostile situations. It’s not all that difficult; there is humour in every situation. However, whether you identify it or not defines the kind of person you are. Sometimes you may have to dig deeper, but it’s worth the effort for it keeps you going.

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