day 662: The Ups And Downs Of Culture

"A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit."

Why is it that certain corporate cultures are generally "up" and others are "down"? There are certainly differences and of course the state of the business makes a big difference as if a company is growing it is hard to not have some of the downers to be masked. But, growth doesn't guarantee an up culture. What guarantees a culture either being up or down is the spirit and attitude of the leaders. Show me a generally positive, optimistic and happy CEO and I will show you a corporate culture that reflects that attitude. And vice versa. Unfortunately, not many CEOs or Senior Leaders can stay consistent enough in their attitude and approach to deliver a culture that consistently reflects what it should. But, when it does, it is magical and it's almost palpable when you walk through the doors of the organization. I love that feeling and I wish we all could experience it every day. If you are a leader, then you have the chance to counter a down culture with your own up approach. You won't be able to mitigate all of the downers but you can do a lot within your own team or function.

As believers we have to work even harder to be up as much as we can. Remember, we have some good news, really good news, to share and if we are down in our attitude then why would anyone ever want to hear, or believe from us any good news. It's a constant battle to stay up, but that is what we have to do. Today, before the day gets too far along, stop for a moment and ask our Lord to give you a positive and up disposition today that others would recognize and appreciate. Ask also for your up attitude to rub off and be a part of creating an up culture for everyone.

Reference: Proverbs 15:13 (New Living Testament)

day 179: Attitude Adjustment

If you lined up 10 people at work and asked them how many are happy to be at work, it might look like a baseball statistic. You would be pleased to get .300 and might be ecstatic to get .400. I don't know the reason why, but it seems like people lock their happiness and joy in their glove box before they go into the office. And what is even more interesting is how we each just accept that it's okay for someone to be grouchy at work. We don't stop and go out of our way to cheer someone up. Instead we see the grumpy person and we either just leave them alone or we let them drag us down with them. It doesn't have to be that way. We can be the countervailing force against grumpiness and a down-attitude. All it really takes is a commitment to bring some of our joy and happiness to work and become a positive alternative for others. When this becomes too hard to do or even remember to do, then draw on this verse; "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." As we work so hard to bring our purpose to work remember that always being joyful is part of God's will for each of us. Today you are going to come in contact with someone who is down on their job, down on others, or just down on life. They are letting you and others know with their words and actions that something is "just not right". While it is counter-intuitive, they are looking for someone or something to cheer them up. Your extra time, your extra words, your extra ear, your extra smile might be just the antidote to what it is that is bothering them today. Your joy can be contagious and bring an attitude adjustment to your office. And from there you may get a chance to add to the conversation the influences in your life that give you the joy that you have.

Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New Living Testament)

day 102: Garbage In...Garbage Out

"Garbage in...garbage out" applies to many things. In computer science, it refers to bad code that is written means bad results that come out. Within our work lives the phrase is very relevant in that each and every day we all go to work and when we hit the door in the morning, where our minds "are" will be how we approach the day and how others approach us. If we have filled our mind with "garbage" then we can expect that what comes out of us will be recycled right back into our mood and demeanor. Now, you are probably thinking, "what is he talking about, I don't get up every morning and fill my mind with garbage or filth". I doubt you do. I am not referring to garbage in the most defined way. I am thinking of it as filling our minds with thoughts that are less than positive, less than encouraging, less than true or honorable. I am writing of those thoughts that are on the edge of mean-spirited or maybe those that have a little vindication at the core. These are the thoughts we have in the morning about "setting someone straight today" or ensuring that "they get theirs". Nothing malicious or harmful, but just enough on the edge that they shape our approach to the day in a negative versus positive fashion. Whether we like it or not, it's garbage in that produces garbage out. In Philippians 4:8 we can hear with what we are supposed to replace the bad stuff: "And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure, lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." See the difference in that list of things in our mind? It would be hard to argue that if our minds were full of those things that our mood, our demeanor, our approach and our attitude could be nothing but good. That would be good for us and good for others who interact with us daily. So today, do an inventory of the thoughts that are in your head and see how much needs to be discarded and replaced with new thoughts. Taking out the garbage could be a great cleaning exercise today.

Reference: Philippians 4:8 (New Living Testament)

day 86: Refreshment

Work can be draining of energy and spirit. Ever notice how you feel the freshest in the morning and by the time the end of the day rolls around it can sometimes feel like you are falling across the door threshold of home? The release thump of the briefcase on the entry way floor may be the loudest noise of the day. I once saw a study that was done where researchers videotaped people from the time they got out of their cars in the office parking lot to the time they got to their office door. What the research found was that people walked the fastest and stood most erect at the time of getting out of their car in the morning and as they walked towards their office they slowed more and more and their posture worsened so that as they walked into their office itself they were more bent over and walking slower than at any other point. I know that feeling. The burdens of the day can start climbing out of the briefcase and onto your shoulders as the day starts. And so we find ourselves needing and wanting refreshment of energy and spirit to keep the day "up" and productive. The Bible tells us how to do find this refreshment. Proverbs 11:25 says, "The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed". It's counter intuitive but it's true. To be refreshed and to stay up we must give more than we receive. I once worked for a guy, Gregg, who used to say to us that he felt his job was to be an "encourager" and that he felt that his duty was to come to the office each and every day with an uplifted and positive spirit and pass that along to others. And you know what? It worked. When he would enter the room things got better. I know it took a lot out of him but I also know that the Biblical principle mentioned above was working through Gregg. The more encouraging and refreshing he was, the more he got back. When greeted with a smile, we smile back. Gregg received smiles all day long. It's not easy, but it's certainly worth a try. So, today, can you put the smile of the Lord on your face and try and be a refresher for others? I'd ask you to try and then take a mood check at the end of the day. If you see any hints of a result then try again tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after. Who knows how your disposition and outlook for work might change from such a simple attitude adjustment.

Reference: Proverbs 11:25 (New Living Testament)