innerPlace

Attitude is everything

Some years ago I had a manager, lets call him John. His level of energy was famous at the department. He did not walk in the corridor, he would almost run. Always first to arrive at the office, and usually going home last. After normal working hours he would sit down with some junior managers and go through working processes or configuration management in great details with no sign of slowing down his tempo. Even at worst possible situations with production stop at the factory and extreme pressure from higher management he could stay calm, positive and focused working at a solution.

On the other hand, I have another colleague, Steve who drag’s his feet in the corridor and never misses an opportunity to take a break or to complain at his work, management or just life in general. He is quite bright, an authority in his area of work. Still, it is unbearable to talk to him, since he is so negative.

Steve has been at the same position for 10 years or more, in the mean time John has gone from developer to group manager, section manager and now head project management.

So where is the difference between them? They have similar education and are both very intelligent. The only difference I can see is their attitude towards life. Having the right attitude is everything. Without it, education, advanced goal setting, or GTD techniques are worthless. You get nowhere without attitude.