Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Get an Attitude!

Get an Attitude
When we hear or the read the word “attitude” most people think of having a “bad” attitude or expressing negativity frequently. In a Google search of the word attitude, I found one definition stating “a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways”. In this article, I will share why it is still important walk around with an attitude! Not one stemming from a pompous, holier than thou, nor superiority set of beliefs; but an attitude that acknowledges the greatness that is built within every person. One that breaks the barriers and systems that often stands in the way of success and achievement.

As a Certified Human Resources Professional (PHR), I have been able to experience both sides of the coin in terms of maintaining the proper attitude in relation to my career. In my years of experience, I have witnessed internal and external situations that can contribute to one’s loss of confidence and commitment to succeed. Today, I can look back and be proud of myself for maintaining a proper “attitude” throughout my working years and be grateful for what I have accomplished thus far while I continue to grow personally and professionally.

Professionals in every industry have an opportunity to go beyond the obstacles and remove the impediments that block the growth for success and self-development if they maintain the right attitude. One must believe that dreams cannot be taken away from those who are determined and committed to reach their goals and aspirations. It is the attitude of the heart that can determine how far one can go without giving up before achieving success. The attitude of consistency and belief in oneself can serve to open doors for great opportunities in our personal and professional lives.

Taking advantage of every opportunity to increase the level of education should definitely be a priority for every practicing and aspiring professional. A more educated person will be able to progress and move beyond more of the limitations they encountered on the path to success. The benefits of pursuing success is not limited to any one category of people and is certainly a measure of ones own determination to have an impact in our homes, our sphere of influence, our communities, and in the freest country in the world!

The right attitude of “can-do” will certainly shine and make way for greater opportunities and increase the possibilities to achieve more in life than others would want. In a world of such diversity of culture and relative perceptions, it is important to remember that it is in our own attitudes that we determine if we are to have successful journeys and accomplishments. Even in the midst of opposition, one must stand and know that the only attitude that really matters is the attitude of determination and commitment to believe in oneself at all cost.

The right attitude will empower anyone who is on a path of self-improvement and professional development and will assist to conquer the difficulties that may arise and become obstacles and impediments. There is never a reason anyone would have to wait until everything is perfect to take the plunge towards professional success. Having the right attitude will ensure that all things come together for the best outcome at the right time.

It is through one’s own quest for excellence that possibilities become reality and achievement becomes the norm, the expectation of an all out effort. Today is a great day to dust off any past disappointments or failures and achieve your dreams by walking around with an Attitude!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Please Do Not Scratch My Wood Floors!

Whether a company is evolving from the inception to the growth stage or from the mature to the declining stage, changes and challenges are certain to be a part of the growing process. However sudden and abrupt changes to an established organization can either leave tracks of success or nasty scratches that leave unpleasant memories for a lifetime. Organizational leaders that focus only on what goes out the door without much concern about their internal valuable assets can be likened to the careless individuals who move heavy furniture on beautiful stained wood floor and leave large and unsightly scratches.

Ever increasing changes into today's working world have already created memories that can never be erased from the American working force. Organizational pillars have fallen from grace and past employees have sought revenge from employer wrong doings by returning to the worksite and committing criminal acts of violence. As the world turns is not only a soap opera name for the domestic engineers to watch on TV. Real life is happening as our working class seeks to find the real meaning of life through organizational change. Coping with loss of jobs, lowered salaries, and leadership bad behavior has caused many people to stop and wonder if they too will be part of the statistics.

As a working people, we take pride in our beautiful shiny wood floors that we create during our working days. It feels great to build a career from a dull looking stage with not much luster to a successful top-of-the-ladder birds-eye view. It takes time, effort, diligence, and determination to build upon our jobs and careers. Every successful step taken towards personal development and growth adds another coat of shine to our wood floors. The sacrifices made in personal lives to achieve career success are not to be viewed as mandated chores but as decisions to participate in the system which is part of the American culture and the benefit of living and prospering in the freest country in the world!

Organizational leadership that looks at the entire organization as a valuable asset will take pride in the human efforts that comprise its overall success. Daily decisions made by company leaders should always consider the overall effects their decisions have on those people who are buffing their wood floors. Taking care to watch every move made with proper communication to can pay back some valuable dividends in many different ways.

Regardless of the leadership style, every leader must consider their actions and how they affect others. Changes that produce positive organizational results are ultimately the goal of effective company leaders and every step counts towards positive memories or nasty scratches on the wood floors. Let us all take pride in our roles as leaders or buffers and do the right thing by others so our own floors can maintain the luster and shine we have built so far. Success and prosperity are not worth the nasty scratches on anyone's hard (working) wood floors. Let us be remembered by the people we touch as leaders who care enough to keep from scratching others wood floors. Happy buffing!