One of the most challenging responsibilities of a leader is Managing Negativity in the workplace. Many times…unfortunately…there is one person in your business or agency that complains about their job, whines about change actions, spreads misinformation about leadership decisions, or all of the above…and maybe more.  The result is an ongoing leadership time management dilemma and a need to effectively decide how much time and energy should be dedicated to this often-single Managing Negativity issue?!

Well, my advice/recommendation in this TRIPLE III TIME message comes from my career experience as an organizational leader and my consulting learning moments.  When you think about Managing Negativity…think FIRST about ALL of the people you manage.  Second, determine the percentage this negative person (or persons) make up of your total workforce.  For example, one (1) of ten (10) equals 10% or two (2) of fifty (50) equals 4%.  Then ask yourself: Am I dedicating as much leadership time Managing Negativity as I am managing/leading the other 9 or 48 working with me who are doing GREAT?

I believe…I know it is critical for those in leadership positions to try extremely hard to use an “equal-time” guide when Managing Negativity. Those who are trying hard and doing well will appreciate the progressive attention and development time with you.  Those practicing negativity will receive no more than “their fair share” of your leadership time and may realize that they are not attaining the special attention they seek.  Instead their non-productive habits are causing them to become more distanced from you, co-workers and yes, their job.

Managing Negativity is not easy…but being a great leader isn’t always easy either.