OK so you think a new system would have been welcomed right? Well not really. Not when you dived deep into the workings of the business and talked to people on the ground. Those who had to interact and deal with real customers either face-to-face or by phone were disengaged with the upcoming new system. They felt left out of the process and, in some cases, were outright negative. Perversely some I suspect were hoping it all turned to custard.
" We think what we become." Buddha
And so things changed. Not overnight but slowly and surely. Negativity became less common place. The buzz of activity, discussion and planning increased as staff turned from being largely disinterested to getting actively involved. And you know what . . . ? It was a whole lot of fun. And yes the system worked.
I actively seek to make the first thing I think or say something nice. Its so much more fun and rewarding - and it makes whoever you are talking to feel good about themselves. Some may say that you risk being overly positive which in turn may exacerbate problems that otherwise could be dealt with straight away. I just don't buy that argument. We have choices - we can fix (or eliminate) what's wrong or we can encourage (or grow) what's right. And the latter surely is a happier place for us all to end up . . .
I invite you to stop and think before you open your mouth to anyone today - and come out with something nice as the first thing you say.