In our leadership roles it is so easy to accentuate the negative. The same is true for parenting. We often hear that the best thing a mom or dad can do to motivate their child is to catch them doing something right and praise them for it. Our tendency is to point out the wrong things…the negative…and then punish them for it. Yes, there are times that must be done. But it isn’t the best overall way to motivate a child or an employee to greatness.

Leadership expert Steve Gutzler wrote about this recently. He said:

“I’ve learned there is a very real human tendency to focus on the negative. Negativity can quickly become pervasive and contagious. It can also stifle performance. Your team needs optimism during tough times.”

That is easier said than done for most leaders. Many are under pressure to make sure the ministry, business, or organization stays on track and is accomplishing all that is expected…and then some. It’s hard to lift your head up and look for something good, especially when the work is demanding or the deadlines loom.

In his article, Gutzler cited a study by the University of North Carolina Psychology Department. The focus of its study was what happens when people experience positive emotions. The results are pretty amazing.

  • Their minds stretch to opportunities.
  • They become open to new ways of thinking.
  • They become more creative and innovative.
  • They experience health benefits of lower stress and increased energy.
  • They develop better coping mechanisms.
  • They have more engaging relationships.

That sounds exactly like the kind of person you would like on your team, doesn’t it? You can develop people who reflect these traits if you will work at being more positive in your leadership style.

No… I’m not talking about syrupy sweet comments that are not sincere. But if you begin to look for good things to praise, you will begin to find them. In fact, you will be surprised at how many great things are going on around you with your staff and volunteers.

I remember the first silver colored car I bought. I though it was both cool and unique. Until I got out on the road and began to see other silver cars…many of them. When we look for something, we often find it.

Guess what else will happen? The leader who begins to point out the positive and diminish the negative in their leadership will themselves be changed. You can’t live on the negative side of life and not be affected. And you are not the same when you decide to be more positive in your approach to leadership.

Maybe that’s why the Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to accentuate the positive in their lives:

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you have learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4: 8-9 NLT

I am positive…this will make a difference in your ministry, your organization, and your home. And it will make a difference in you.

God’s best…