How’s Your ‘Tude?

Discussing “attitude” is so overdone. Yet here I am writing about it because of a job threatening experience last week.

I was going through a “right sizing” exercise with a client, where the client was basically having to determine who stays and who goes. There was one individual on the “go” list who had longevity with the company, and I was surprised this person was on the list due to his tenure. Not only that, his work quality was good, and his performance scores had always been in line with or exceeded expectations for his role. When asked why this performer was on the list to be eliminated, the supervisor stated that his attitude has soured, and it was bringing the whole team down.

That was an eye-opening statement to me. This gentlemen’s attitude over shadowed his stellar producer skills, so much so, in fact, that the supervisor was willing to sacrifice production to free himself of the attitude. What’s sad is this employee has full control of his attitude! This means this employee with an attitude problem was in full control of his job being great, mediocre, or having no job at all.

How often in our career have we heard something like, “I know she isn’t meeting expectations but her attitude is so good…” or “I’m hiring him because his attitude is so positive. I’ll teach the skills.”

Great attitudes overshadow poor skillsets just as much as poor attitudes overshadow excellent skillsets. Translation: Your attitude is your most important skillset.

Here are a few ‘Tude Facts:

  1. Attitude is a performance requirement. You will keep or lose a job because of it. Which also means you may keep or lose friendships, family, and opportunities because of it.
  2. Attitude influences others. No matter if it’s negative or positive, our attitude is influencing others wherever we go.
  3. Attitude is the quickest performance trait to adjust. Unlike choosing to be competent at a skill or trade tomorrow, I can choose and change my attitude in a moment.
  4. Attitude draws attention. It will be noticed and even followed. It’s amazing how I can change one person on the team, and the entire team has a change in attitude.
  5. Attitudes are like thermometers. We often adjust inside of us based on the conditions outside, and others make note of the temperature to prepare for how will interact with us.

Would your attitude weather a “right sizing” experience like the one my client had? Is your attitude hurting your career or helping it? Do others want to follow you, or is the temperature of your attitude too difficult to regulate?


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