"Is there anything I can do to change the social climate?"

Dear Editor:

Do you have any pointers for those days when you go into work and feel yourself being sucked in by the negative energy? Is there anything I can do to change the social climate or at least not let it affect me? How can I help my colleagues to be more positive without coming off as bossy?

 Dear Reader:

Great question! We've all had days like this and it takes a great deal of energy and awareness to not get pulled down into the negativity.

First of all, as with our friends and partners, the best time to begin to combat negativity is before it happens—when everyone is feeling good or neutral. I suggest that you bring up this scenario at a staff meeting when your peers are feeling open and focused. Let them know since service and work well-being are important practice values, that you'd like them to brainstorm how to keep the office atmosphere supportive and friendly, even on the most stressful days. Together, come up with an action plan that provides everyone with a signal or sign that can be used when the office climate deteriorates or employees seem overly negative or irritable. One office that I worked with decided to keep a cow bell on the front desk which anyone could ring as a reminder to realign attitudes. Another decided on a song that would be their "code" and played it over the office speakers when the office climate needed an adjustment. Be creative and have fun with this idea. The more buy-in you can get from the entire staff, the better this strategy will work. In this way, you can avoid painful confrontations when stress runs high, and help everyone remember their commitment to contribute positively to the office environment.

Dr. Ruby

editor@myEVT.com