Dementors – for those of you who skipped the biggest literary sensation of the last twenty years – are soulless creatures who guard the wizard’s prison in the Harry Potter series of books. They suck the joy out of life and their presence makes all around them grow cold and dark. In real life, they’re the ones who like to put a negative spin on every conversation: from pointing out the health and safety risks when someone does an ice-bucket challenge through to spelling out that the snack you’ve just consumed is full of additives which can cause cancer. Glass half empties. Debbie Downers. You catch my drift.
And quite frankly, if you’re the skeptical type, it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a whole host of reasons to feel negative right now: the CIPD ran a survey earlier this month which found that nearly half (44%) of UK workers feel pessimistic about the future as a result of the UK’s vote to leave the EU, there are terrorism threats looming around every corner, the list goes on and on.
When out socially, you can swiftly move away from these cheery souls. But in the workplace? No such luck. And given that negativity can spread like wildfire, how exactly should you approach the situation if you have one employee who’s bringing down the rest of your team?
Listen!
Sometimes, people simply need a sounding board for their frustrations and concerns. Burying your head in the sand and hoping that things will fix themselves is very rarely a sensible strategy. Instead of just paying lip service to the concept of having an open door policy, make sure that you live by it.
Get to know your staff. Work out what makes them tick. Unearth the real issues that are at play. This is what makes the difference between a manager and a leader.
Challenge negative thinking
There are external things going on that you and your business can have no control over. No one’s expecting you to solve all the problems in the world. If comments are being made about internal issues though, you need to tackle them.
If they’re true, take the time to explain the reasoning behind why things are the way they are, and how employees can play a part in improving the situation. If false statements are being shared, speak up immediately and put the record straight. Sometimes, a little strong leadership is what’s needed to get things back on the right track.
Recognise the difference between a bit of negativity and serious mental health problems
Most of us are guilty of letting negative feelings take over now and again. Some might say that it’s all part and parcel of living in the modern world. As a leader though, you have a responsibility to know the difference between this, and mental health issues amongst your employees.
If you suspect that there are more serious problems at play, you have a responsibility to ensure that your staff are supported and given the professional assistance that they might need. In this situation, your first port of call should be to speak with an expert. Remember that discretion is key, and you absolutely must honour the confidentiality of your employees.
The feeling and mood in many workplaces goes through peaks and troughs. It’s your job to make sure that your staff are motivated and productive. If you’re experiencing problems, it may be worthwhile to have a chat with us about your challenges.
Get in touch today by dropping us a line at hello@thehrhub.co.uk, calling 0203 627 7048, or book in here for a no-obligation chat.
For more reading on how else you can tackle thorny issue with confidence, then download our new eBook: Leadership 101: The Ultimate Guide to Being an Inspirational Leader.
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Photocredit: Bob Kieffer Dementor
