ATTITUDE

The definition of attitude: "A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in one's behavior.

Business is tough these days and getting tougher. Uncertain economy, increased competition, tighter bottom lines. One slight move one way or the other can have a profound effect. Just look at how unpredictable the stock market is. One negative comment from an "expert" and BAM...down 200 points. Good news, the very next day on the SAME subject and by a different "expert"....UP 200 points.

I believe that our attitudes have a similar effect. We live in such a fragile world that everything we say and do is analyzed, criticized and publicized. In business, this can be make or break.

I was around in a clothing store not too long ago. It was a Sunday and the weather was perfect. An out door day....not an indoor day. I saw an elderly woman folding and hanging clothes, she obviously worked for the store. I greeted her and asked how she was doing. I was expecting the same... "wish I was out there instead of this boring place...." or something to that affect, but instead was taken aback and pleasantly surprised when she replied... "I am fantastic thank you, I enjoy coming in here because I get to meet so many different people". What a GREAT attitude! It made me feel good and more interested in shopping in her store. A complete contrast to a restaurant I visited recently where we waited for quite sometime to be served. So, already a little tense because we had waited so long, the waitress finally stopped by without an apology, a greeting or anything and instead: "you ready"! I felt like I was doing her a favor by being there, and left the restaurant at the end of the meal with a not so favorable opinion of the establishment. It will be sometime before I go back. Mostly because of a bad attitude.

I recently read an article by Yun Siang Long where he talks about 5 points to improve attitude. The 5 E's. Enthusiasm: Be eager and approach your work with zest.  Efficient: Strive to be the most efficient worker in your team. This shows capability and competency.  Excellence: When you try and exceed your expectations and strive for excellence, you naturally surpass others in your work. Early: I prefer Effort to early. Coming in early does not necessarily translate to good work, but good EFFORT does. So I would change Early for Effort. Easy: Without compromising your need for excellence, work easy with others. This will make you enjoyable to work with which I believe will give a competitive edge.

These are good points by Mr. Long. I believe that this needs to expand to manners and common courtesy. I can't tell you how many times I have been into a restaurant and seen a young waiter or waitress kindly greets a customer and asks them what they would like to drink and you see the customer barely acknowledging the server and saying "Water" or "Coffee". How rude. Can you imagine that attitude in business. How quickly would you dismiss a company that would display that kind of rudeness. I believe that bad manners show a bad attitude and a bad attitude can lead to apathy, despondency and ultimately mistakes will likely occur making output lower.

Winston Churchill said: Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference!