“Do You Work with Someone who Sucks the Air From the Room?”
We have all had to work with someone whose attitude and negativity simply “takes the air out of the room.” It could be a co-worker, someone in another department, or even your boss.
These are the people who criticize new ideas, tend to attack personally, or lack an innovative or team spirit. When there is a discussion grappling with a business issue, they interrupt, talk over someone speaking, or repeat their negative comments over and over until they crush open discussion. They may pass when asked to take on new projects or blame someone else for missing deadlines or targets. You get the picture.
Here are a few ideas as to how you may be able to turn all this negative energy into something constructive:
- Has anyone ever given them honest feedback? It may be as simple as taking this person to a private place and giving them honest feedback. Explain how they are perceived by others. How their behavior is impacting your department. How it is affecting their career.
If they are in another functional area and that doesn't work, speak with their manager. If they are in a more senior position, speak with your boss. The key is to deal with it, not endure it.
- Set performance expectations: For someone on your team, make being a productive team member part of performance review criteria.
- Understand and clearly communicate how show-stoppers may just be obstacles that have to be dealt with by focusing on the positive: A negative thinker may see an issue as insurmountable, a showstopper. In reality, with proper teamwork and planning there is an opportunity to find a solution.
As we all know the work in a credit department is challenging. There are targets to be met, and special projects to be completed. To address these challenges a Credit Manager has to marshal the participation and cooperation of the credit team members. Being overcome by negative thinking is simply not an option.
Think of this example: A key team member unexpectedly goes out on extended leave. It is likely this will seriously impact the department's ability to maintain an acceptable level of performance. The reality is that It is not possible to backfill or bring in temporary help due to budget constraints. A negative thinker may see this is an insurmountable problem.
Approach the problem with your team with a positive mindset. Set up a team meeting, explain the problem and ask for their input and an agreement on how to distribute the extra workload. Involve everyone in the decision process but control the conversation. Let everyone be heard. Focus on the possibilities.
- Focus on the actions necessary to accomplish the goal: Don't make a conversation with a negative thinker, personal or confrontational. Redirect the discussion to what needs to be done to accomplish a goal, who needs to be involved, and what milestones need to be met for a successful end.
- Ask “So what is your solution?” One way to reduce criticism by a “Nay Sayer”, is to ask for their solution. This can open a conversation where their ideas can be discussed and decided upon. If they have no ideas to contribute, they may be more receptive to what others have to say. Who knows, they may have a great idea. You may learn something!
- Co-Opt them: Enlist that person to be part of the solution. Ask them to resolve an issue or add them to a project team. Incorporate their ideas when it makes sense to do so. If they are part of the solution, the criticism level is likely to go down.
Conclusion:
You are only a victim if you choose to be! When you encounter a person whose constant negativity and criticism is detrimental to your team's performance, deal with it directly. In most cases by using the approaches outlined above, you can make progress by redirecting all that negative energy into something useful.
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