Fishing for the Right Attitude: Don’t Miss the Boat! Amy W. Boykin Alicia Willson-Metzger February...

Fishing for the Right Fishing for the Right Attitude: Attitude:

Don’t Miss the Boat!Don’t Miss the Boat!Amy W. BoykinAmy W. Boykin

Alicia Willson-MetzgerAlicia Willson-Metzger

February 13, 2008February 13, 2008

We begin

With a story!

The BasicsThe Basics

Why do we notice bad attitudes at work?Why do we notice bad attitudes at work?

What does a bad attitude look like?What does a bad attitude look like?

What is your attitude at work?What is your attitude at work?

Why Do You Need to Know?

•For your healthFor your health

•People are watching you – children and People are watching you – children and other impressionable ones, including your other impressionable ones, including your bossboss

•So you can make changes – if necessarySo you can make changes – if necessary

Bad Attitude at Work?Bad Attitude at Work?

Talking about the bossTalking about the boss GossipingGossiping Clocking in lateClocking in late Calling in sick oftenCalling in sick often LyingLying

Dixie Lee Wright, 2004 (www.mycvbuilder.com)Dixie Lee Wright, 2004 (www.mycvbuilder.com)


Using bad languageUsing bad language Dirty clothesDirty clothes Back talkingBack talking Customer complaintsCustomer complaints Comments on your attitudeComments on your attitude



Abusing the telephoneAbusing the telephone Leaving earlyLeaving early Refusing to help a coworkerRefusing to help a coworker Breaking rulesBreaking rules Making fun of coworkersMaking fun of coworkers Criticizing the work of othersCriticizing the work of others


Self AssessmentSelf Assessment

Test yourselfTest yourself Queendom – www.queendom.com/tests/Queendom – www.queendom.com/tests/ Tickle – web.tickle.comTickle – web.tickle.com Mindgames – www.psychtests.com/mindgames/Mindgames – www.psychtests.com/mindgames/ Human Metrics – www.humanmetrics.comHuman Metrics – www.humanmetrics.com Chatterbean – Chatterbean –

www.chatterbean.com/quiz_guide/phd_personality_tests.phpwww.chatterbean.com/quiz_guide/phd_personality_tests.php

No matter the generation you find yourself in …No matter the generation you find yourself in …

Generational TheoryGenerational Theory

Different generations have wholly differing Different generations have wholly differing perceptions of work ethic, rewards and perks, perceptions of work ethic, rewards and perks, etc.etc.

Many researchers examining generational Many researchers examining generational theory:theory: Howe and Strauss: Howe and Strauss: Millennials Rising; Millennials and Pop Millennials Rising; Millennials and Pop

CultureCulture Lancaster and Stillman : Lancaster and Stillman : When Generations Collide: Who When Generations Collide: Who

They Are, Why They Clash, How to Solve the Generational They Are, Why They Clash, How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at WorkPuzzle at Work

Generations at WorkGenerations at Work

Veterans: Born 1922-1943 (52 million)Veterans: Born 1922-1943 (52 million) Baby Boomers: Born 1943-1960 (73.2 million)Baby Boomers: Born 1943-1960 (73.2 million) Gen Xers: Born 1960-1980 (70.1 million)Gen Xers: Born 1960-1980 (70.1 million) Millennials: Born 1980- (69.7 million to date)Millennials: Born 1980- (69.7 million to date)

““Generations at Work: A Candid Snapshot of the Generations…and Their Generations at Work: A Candid Snapshot of the Generations…and Their Differences,” 2007, http://www.amanet.orgDifferences,” 2007, http://www.amanet.org

Generational Core ValuesGenerational Core Values

Veterans: Dedication, sacrifice, hard work, honor, Veterans: Dedication, sacrifice, hard work, honor, respect for authorityrespect for authority

Boomers: Optimism, team orientation, involvement, Boomers: Optimism, team orientation, involvement, personal growthpersonal growth

Gen Xers: Global thinking, informality, techno-Gen Xers: Global thinking, informality, techno-literacy, pragmatismliteracy, pragmatism

Millennials: Confidence, civic duty, diversity, Millennials: Confidence, civic duty, diversity, sociabilitysociability““Generations at Work: A Candid Snapshot of the Generations…and Their Generations at Work: A Candid Snapshot of the Generations…and Their Differences,” 2007, http://www.amanet.orgDifferences,” 2007, http://www.amanet.org

Generational “Clashpoints”Generational “Clashpoints”

Career GoalsCareer Goals Traditionalists: “Build a legacy.”Traditionalists: “Build a legacy.” Baby Boomers: “Build a stellar career.”Baby Boomers: “Build a stellar career.” Generation Xers: “Build a portable career.”Generation Xers: “Build a portable career.” Millennials: “Build parallel careers.”Millennials: “Build parallel careers.”

Lancaster and Stillman. Lancaster and Stillman. When Generations When Generations Collide.Collide.

Generational “Clashpoints”Generational “Clashpoints”

FeedbackFeedback Traditionalists: “No news is good news.”Traditionalists: “No news is good news.” Baby Boomers: “Feedback once a year, with lots of Baby Boomers: “Feedback once a year, with lots of

documentation.”documentation.” Gen Xers: “Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?”Gen Xers: “Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?” Millennials: “Feedback whenever I want it at the push Millennials: “Feedback whenever I want it at the push

of a button.”of a button.”

Generational PersonalityGenerational Personality

Veterans: Conformers, conservative spenders, past-Veterans: Conformers, conservative spenders, past-oriented and history-absorbed, logicaloriented and history-absorbed, logical

Boomers: Driven, soul-searchers, willing to “go the Boomers: Driven, soul-searchers, willing to “go the extra mile”extra mile”

Gen Xers: Self-reliant, risk-takers, skeptical, need Gen Xers: Self-reliant, risk-takers, skeptical, need sense of balance between work and personal lifesense of balance between work and personal life

Millennials: Tenacious, collective-action friendly, Millennials: Tenacious, collective-action friendly, optimistic about the futureoptimistic about the future


Motivational TipsMotivational Tips

Veterans: Personal interaction important, honor work with Veterans: Personal interaction important, honor work with plaques, certificates, etc.plaques, certificates, etc.

Boomers: Public recognition, perks with status, ask for their Boomers: Public recognition, perks with status, ask for their inputinput

Gen Xers: Assign lots of projects: let them prioritize and Gen Xers: Assign lots of projects: let them prioritize and juggle; give constant constructive feedbackjuggle; give constant constructive feedback

Millennials: Be a mentor, don’t dismiss their opinions because Millennials: Be a mentor, don’t dismiss their opinions because they’re young, provide continuing ed. opportunitiesthey’re young, provide continuing ed. opportunities


And After You’ve Figured Out …And After You’ve Figured Out …

The best way to deal with all those The best way to deal with all those

pesky people at work ….pesky people at work ….

How can you change How can you change

your own attitude your own attitude

for the better?for the better?

Ways to Improve the AttitudeWays to Improve the Attitude

Look for creative ways to make your current Look for creative ways to make your current tasks more interestingtasks more interesting

Schedule your work to best manage routine or Schedule your work to best manage routine or tedious tasks – if possible, group low energy tedious tasks – if possible, group low energy tasks together for a time when your work tasks together for a time when your work energy is lowenergy is low

Ian’s Messy Desk (www.ismckenzie.com)Ian’s Messy Desk (www.ismckenzie.com)

An Attitude FixAn Attitude Fix

Stretch; take a breakStretch; take a break Work on something else for a whileWork on something else for a while Look out a window; get a glass of waterLook out a window; get a glass of water Take a short walk; get some fresh airTake a short walk; get some fresh air Go out to lunchGo out to lunch Say something nice to someoneSay something nice to someone Volunteer to help a coworkerVolunteer to help a coworker


Tips for Increasing OptimismTips for Increasing Optimism

Don’t try to repress negative thoughtsDon’t try to repress negative thoughts Make a solid plan for either changing or dealing Make a solid plan for either changing or dealing

with your situation.with your situation. Listen carefully to your self-defeating thoughts, Listen carefully to your self-defeating thoughts,

and then argue against them.and then argue against them.

““Team vs. Individual Orientation” (humanmetrics.com)Team vs. Individual Orientation” (humanmetrics.com)

Tips for Increasing OptimismTips for Increasing Optimism

View setbacks as short-lived.View setbacks as short-lived. Avoid self-fulfilling prophecies.Avoid self-fulfilling prophecies. REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM.REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM.

““Team vs. Individual Orientation Test” (humanmetrics.com)Team vs. Individual Orientation Test” (humanmetrics.com)

Who Moved My Cheese?Who Moved My Cheese?

Three things to remember:Three things to remember:

Change is unavoidableChange is unavoidable Ability to adapt = key to successAbility to adapt = key to success Attitude is important Attitude is important

Spencer Johnson’s book by the same titleSpencer Johnson’s book by the same title

The Handwriting on the WallThe Handwriting on the Wall

Change happens! (They keep moving the cheese).Change happens! (They keep moving the cheese). Anticipate change. (Get ready for the cheese to Anticipate change. (Get ready for the cheese to

move).move). Monitor change. (Smell the cheese often so you know Monitor change. (Smell the cheese often so you know

when it’s getting old).when it’s getting old). Adapt to change quickly. (The more quickly you let Adapt to change quickly. (The more quickly you let

go of the old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy the go of the old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy the new cheese).new cheese).

Change. (Move with the cheese).Change. (Move with the cheese).

The Handwriting on the Wall, continuedThe Handwriting on the Wall, continued

Enjoy change. (Savor the adventure and enjoy Enjoy change. (Savor the adventure and enjoy the taste of new cheese). the taste of new cheese).

Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again. (They keep moving the cheese).and again. (They keep moving the cheese).

Ask yourself….Ask yourself….

What do I need to let go of AND what do I What do I need to let go of AND what do I need to move on to?need to move on to?

Spencer Johnson, Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese?Who Moved My Cheese?

Get Happier!Get Happier!

Train yourselfTrain yourself Focus on what’s right, successful, and more Focus on what’s right, successful, and more

productiveproductive Increase positive thinking, positive emotions, Increase positive thinking, positive emotions,

positive choices and decisions, positive habits positive choices and decisions, positive habits – one thing at a time– one thing at a time

Penelope Trunk (Brazen Careerist blog)Penelope Trunk (Brazen Careerist blog)

More Than a Positive AttitudeMore Than a Positive Attitude

Questions to ask yourselfQuestions to ask yourself

Does the present attitude serve me well?Does the present attitude serve me well? What is the source of this attitude?What is the source of this attitude? Where do I need to make a change?Where do I need to make a change? Do I have the right resources to make the change?Do I have the right resources to make the change?

Ke o agile (www.SelfGrowth.com)Ke o agile (www.SelfGrowth.com)

Now what?Now what?

““People who take themselves less seriously are People who take themselves less seriously are far more pleasant to associate with.”far more pleasant to associate with.”

Start smallStart small Keep your eyes open – good things will Keep your eyes open – good things will

happen, funny things will happen, be prepared happen, funny things will happen, be prepared to notice these!to notice these!

Denise Morgan in Denise Morgan in Virginia LibrariesVirginia Libraries

What About Fishing & Boating?What About Fishing & Boating?

Oh, yes – the inspiration for it allOh, yes – the inspiration for it all

Play – Make their dayPlay – Make their day ““Who are you being while you’re doing what Who are you being while you’re doing what

you’re doing?”you’re doing?” Be present in the moment – count the Be present in the moment – count the

blessings of right now.blessings of right now.

Dr. Stephen C. Lundin, excerpted from “Fish! Tales”Dr. Stephen C. Lundin, excerpted from “Fish! Tales”

Excerpt from “Fish Tales”

Consider how you are being perceived While doing yard work While mentoring someone While listening during a staff meeting While receiving feedback While answering patron queries

Live wholeheartedly – and make a difference!

Take the Test!

Do you have a good job? Answer four questions to see if you’re in the

right job for your likes and temperament.

Maybe – “finding a job you like or turning a bad job into a good job might actually be totally under your control” ….

Penelope Trunk (Brazen Careerist blog)

Follow-Up

CATS: Nine Lives of Innovation Definition of a CAT

Every day human being who learns how to release his or her innovative potential …

A curious person An invaluable … asset Someone who likes FISH! but doesn’t necessarily eat

fish (or go fishing!) The future of civilization

Are you a CAT?

Your Stories?Your Stories?

Maybe you’ve got a strategy or a technique to Maybe you’ve got a strategy or a technique to share?share?

Do you try to change your attitude when you Do you try to change your attitude when you feel a bad ‘tude coming on? How?feel a bad ‘tude coming on? How?

Thank you!Thank you!

Fishing for the Right Attitude: Don’t Miss the Boat! Amy W. Boykin Alicia Willson-Metzger February...

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