Attitude Is Not Everything

For many years, I’ve always valued attitude as key differentiator. Attitude by and large is a critical influencer on how I decide to engage and connect with people.

Why? Because I’m a personal testament to the fact that attitude is crucial to one's success.

I have personally progressed in my career because of my attitude. When everyone is running the other way, I’ll step up and take the work with open arms and do it with a smile.

My father taught me that there is no work that is beneath me. The reason why your manager asked you to help or do the work is because the work needs to get done. Therefore, I do it and get it done.

As I write this, one quote that comes to mind is that of my mentor John Maxwell as I’m a member of his team:

"People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude."

This is very true. When you enter a room and the people you've met welcome you with open arms, you certainly can feel the warm welcome and sense of acceptance. Attitude is the same. People want to work with people with a good attitude more than they want to work with those who have a bad attitude.

Over time this concept of attitude is everything has changed for me. While having a good attitude helps, it is not the end all be all. What do I mean? A person can have a good attitude, but if they are not equipped, educated and capable of doing the job, the attitude can only help so much. At some point they need to deliver. This is when I have the rude awakening.

While attitude is important, we need to make sure we have a plan to help our people develop, because attitude can only go so far. While attitude is a key differentiator , I know that I have the responsibility to make sure people who have potential and the propensity to learn new things are given the support that can help them help the organization achieve its goal.

In conclusion consider this quote from Thomas Jefferson:

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."

I still believe in attitude as key to people’s success, but I also value people who are committed to continuous learning and making it happen.