Attitude is Everything, So Pick a Good One.

What makes a workplace successful, is not the combination of degrees and the work- experience of the employees, but their attitudes towards their work, their co-workers, and clients.  

Even the best combination of skills, knowledge, and experience would mean nothing without drive and attitude.  

The right attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is often the catalyst that sparks extraordinary results.  

The right attitude will result in the following stepping stones to success in the workplace –  

Respect – A positive attitude towards the work that you’re doing will cause your superiors as well as your co-workers to respect you. Remember that it is just as important to respect others as it is to be respected; but with the right attitude, all of this will fall into place and come into being.  

Hard Work – It is a given that no workplace can succeed without hard work, but the secret to working hard on a daily basis lies in the attitude you equip yourself with in order to get the hard work done. The right attitude will undoubtedly lead employees to be more driven, dedicated and hard working in every task that they take on.  

Deadline– Driven – Employees with the right attitude will know that the success of the company depends on the success of its employees, and they will understand that failure is not an option. With this frame of mind, the company’s success will become a priority to the employees and this will lead to them always going the extra mile in order to reach all their deadlines and to get the work done to the best of their abilities.  

Presence – A company’s best ambassadors are its employees; the right attitude towards the employer and the workplace will lead to great word of mouth, bringing the company more support and building its image. The company’s reputation is thus largely based on the attitude of its employees. 

New Ideas – “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”1 Sometimes it just takes the innovation of one person to change a workplace for the better. Employees with the right attitude will always have their sights set on improvement, and won’t be afraid to step up and make suggestions. If these suggestions are not implemented, these employees will not be discouraged but will return to the drawing board and try even harder.  

Commitment – An employee with the right attitude will show the willingness to do whatever it takes to fulfil their duties. This attitude of commitment will not only build the reputation of the employee, but also the image of the company. All it takes is one employee with an attitude of commitment to create a culture of teamwork and support between all the employees.  

You might be wondering how employees could go about getting into this “right attitude” mindset? Employees often look up to their employers to set the tone for the work to be done – if the employer has a good attitude towards the work and the employees, the employees will in turn also have a good attitude towards whatever is expected of them.  

Food for thought: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”2 

• Christine Swanepoel  

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)