4 Ways A Team Can Choose Its Own Attitude

Team morale is an inside job – not an outside job.

Have you ever gone home at night and complained about a peer who stirs up trouble? Maybe they don’t work very hard or they show up late. Maybe they gossip or blow up anything positive with their own negative attitudes. Unfortunately, these attitudes are contagious. We all know these people, as every organization has one. But fortunately, these individuals are the outliers.

90% of the people we work with are doing 90% of their jobs pretty darn well. Yet, our focus seems to be fixed be on the 10% who drive us crazy. It is easy for us to focus on the negative. We all do it.

As I partner with law enforcement agencies across the country, one thing stands out to me. The negativity they face from select individuals in the public and from the media is taking a toll on morale.

Most agencies are understaffed. Many have trouble finding qualified candidates to fill training academy classes. And many young officers feel the pull to quit after a short time. Why? It isn’t because these are not fine men and women. It is because of the negativity they continuously receive from outside influences.

What is the solution? These agencies cannot change individuals outside of the organization. But, they can rally behind one another from within. No matter the industry or organization, we must be sure to provide Positivity from within first. Control what you can control.

The word encouragement means, “to give Courage.” Courage comes from the French word Coeur which means, “heart.” When we encourage someone, we give them heart. Conversely, when we discourage someone, we take heart away from th