Positivity – A Powerful Leadership Tool

Business leaders are constantly facing a variety of situations that can test and challenge their teams, and a strong business leader will know how to remain positive in the face of these challenges and encourage positivity within the work environment. A study by Jacob Levitt for the Harvard Business Review showed that when leaders show positivity early on, employees perform better. An employer who demonstrates faith in their work will have a team who does too.

Creating a positive environment as a business leader can be challenging at first, especially if you’re unfamiliar with what goes into developing that atmosphere for your team. Learning this skill set and providing your team with a strong start will make a difference during the duration of the project and in the outcome of your work. Make your role as a leader a positive experience for you and your team.

Project Positivity from the Start

Levitt’s study found that starting out with genuine positivity is the key to improving employee performance. When employees begin working in a positive environment, they are more likely to have higher morale and bring their own positiveness with them to work. Team members will be able to sense when positivity isn’t genuine, and leaders may not realize the same results. While many find it useful to adopt a “fake it ‘till you make it” approach, part of leadership is learning how to convey confidence even when feeling overwhelmed. This is a skill that can be cultivated.

How to Start Leading with Positivity

As you begin to take on team leadership and work through projects that might be more stressful or challenging for your team, practice positivity by:

• Setting goals for your team.

• Celebrating when you reach goals.

• Facing challenges with the notion that you can accomplish an undertaking.

• Having that faith in yourself as a leader.

This approach will provide you with the courage and understanding necessary to promote positivity within your team.

Misconceptions about Leading with Positivity

Levitt suggests waiting till the midpoint of a project to give any constructive feedback. While you may have concerns from the beginning, waiting until that midpoint provides space for your team members to feel comfortable and confident in themselves. One major misconception about leading with positivity is you cannot be realistic. As a leader, you must communicate with your team when something needs to be changed or when expectations are not met. While these interactions don’t feel positive in the moment, you can still be strategic with them and maintain a positive environment.

This helps provide the necessary foundation for them to be receptive to feedback. These moments are in themselves tools to foster positivity and trust in your team. Your team should know that you have faith in them to accomplish their task, but also that you want to see them grow and broaden their skills and strengths. Feedback doesn’t have to be negative; with the proper approach, it’s the tool that your team can use to achieve at a higher level in the future.

Employees who started off in a positive environment felt more respected by their employers and had a greater motivation to perform well and contribute to their teams. For leaders, leading with positivity sets the team up for success and gives everyone a chance to feel like a part of the team.