Letter on the Third — August 2024
Dear Datamax Family,
It may seem surprising for some to realize just how far workplace positivity can take us.
My wife Patti accuses me of waking up with a smile on my face. Having a positive demeanor is just part of who I am. For me, I think it comes down to the passion that I have for our business, our people, and our customers. Waking up, I genuinely enjoy coming into the office. When I walk around and say hi to everyone and ask them how they are doing, it may involve a high-five, a special handshake, or a hug. Whatever the gesture is, it’s a simple reminder to everyone in the office how much I truly care.
Of course, things inevitably can and do go wrong in the workplace. Missed deadlines, absent employees, unrealistic clients, lost or mishandled paperwork: Things don’t always go as planned. But something as fundamental as positivity is a powerful anecdote for unfortunate circumstances. It’s also a core component of a healthy, sustainable workplace culture.
Why is positivity so powerful?
Being a positive light attracts attention. People are drawn to it. It improves performance, builds better relationships, increases job satisfaction, and even benefits your health. Consider what a good friend of mine shared with me recently regarding positive leadership: “Does this person know what they are doing? Do they care about me? Can I trust them? As leaders, our actions set the tone for the workplace. Being a positive role model is paramount for both team morale and success.
Those who are positive don’t dwell on the past. If they have a bad month, they move forward. They learn from a lost sale or a botched service visit and don’t repeat the same error. Positive people look for the solution rather than wallow in the issue at hand. Finally, positive people are accessible. They’re sincere about their efforts to collaborate, problem solve, lend a hand, or just offer a colleague the opportunity to share what’s on his or her mind.
How do I put positivity into play?
I’d like to offer you these three “tips” on applying positivity to your workday.
- Always smile. It’s contagious. If someone walks up to you, that’s the most important person right there and then.
- Always be approachable. When someone comes into your workspace, acknowledge them, even if you are extremely busy. If you are tied up with a task, let them know you’ll be a minute and will find them soon.
- Always seek the solution. When you have a problem, go to the right person to work it out. Problem Seek, Problem Solve is positivity in action.
From my experience, those three things will get you pretty far in your professional endeavors.
The Best is Yet to Be.
Your Raving Fan,
