We lean toward the negative. Do we isolate the error in the report rather than the correct majority or the one item left out of the cupboard when all else is stored away? Instead, we focus on what we do not have, what we did not obtain, and what we wish for.
Unfortunately, the same sensibility is prevalent within organizations. No one is suggesting we should not compile a perfect report or have a clean home all the time, but if we only focus on the negative, it becomes demoralizing, to the point we encourage a ‘why bother at all’ dynamic.
As leaders and workers within an organization, it would benefit all to spotlight positivity and the good achieved. Let it outweigh the errors and shortcomings and be a platform to elevate us to where we are going rather than a reminder of what we have failed at.
We can look at the same situation, view it differently, and with that, achieve completely opposite outcomes.
