Do You Look For What’s Wrong or What’s Right?

By Juanita Ecker

One of my favorite shows, “America’s Got Talent,” just ended its season. I have to say, I’ll miss it. I love how the three judges are very kind to the contestants, even if they don’t like the act. They always look for something good to say rather than pointing out all the things that are wrong. There’s so much negativity in the world, it’s nice to have a little positive thinking for a change!

If only the workplace were more like that. It seems like every time we’re presented with a new idea, we fire away with negative statements. We’ve become a corporate culture of naysayers, and the negativity can be toxic.

Of course, that’s not to suggest that we all become “yes men” who blindly agree to everything, even if we secretly have doubts. That’s not healthy either. Case in point: the recent economic meltdown, in which those who pointed out the risks of the mortgage loan process were fired.