The link

"Ignorance is not too dangerous. If you combine it with power, then this is a toxic mix." - Yuval Noah Harari

I attitude-adjusted someone at work today and it went well although when the person left my office I felt annoyed at having to do so. Their errors, and the ramifications of them, were not her fault - Sure she made errors but the catalyst for why reaches far higher up the hierarchy and it's that which left me annoyed and angry.

The environment is a little toxic; hmm, maybe that's being too harsh - It's just not a very enjoyable environment for many reasons and it's easy to see the smallest things as negative and as we all know, negativity affects attitude.

The combination doesn't make for a very productive environment or lead individuals into being their best, diligent, thorough or go the extra step operators. I promote that within my team of course, and in the main it's working well, however in the case above I truly believe the girl simply allowed the situation to get the better of her; A victim of happenstance so to speak. I felt sorry for her, but dutifully performed my role, albeit with a lot of compassion and understanding.

In reflection after the meeting I came to the conclusion that the situation is backsliding quite rapidly, spiralling our of control; certainly the powers that be don't seem to be able to arrest the slide that they themselves are causing, indeed, they don't even see it I think. A sad state of affairs. But why is this so?

Too much money? Fading interest. Not enough money? I don't know. All I know is that greed, ego and hubris are not a good mix - Throw in ignorance and a feeling of power and that's a disaster waiting to happen and innocent people will suffer. This hit home when I was talking with the girl too, subject to her inability to affect what's happening above her.

There is a direct link between a person's attitude and negativity or toxicity; it can be a destructive force, demotivating and very difficult to arrest. Have you ever heard someone say they feel physically sick on Sunday evenings at the thought of fronting up to work on Monday morning? I have. It's tragic and in many situations is totally avoidable, but that needs to start at the top, in my humble opinion.

I never shy away from a task and I'm not one to avoid or delay an unpleasant situation I need to deal with; I tackle those things head on and often get a better result in that way.

It's what I did today with this girl - Support without removing her responsibility is what I offered. She was grateful, had a cry, and moved on knowing she has that support but I'll keep her accountable. She thanked me for understanding and for being kind, she said. I felt good about that, but totally bad about the situation which, unfortunately, I have no real ability to change and no hope of it doing so. That's what I couldn't tell the girl too, that I can't see change happening, and also that I'm done with it! Gripes go up not down though, so I was silent on that point.

I haven't always had the ability to command my attitude, but I have now, mostly; there's times I struggle like others but I have the mechanisms to arrest the decline, reset and move forward. It is something I have had coaching and training for, the concepts and skills, and they have kept me in the right place through difficult times. I'm sure there's many in the situation, or similar, as above and I wonder if you've had any experience with it; either subjected to it, or in a position of authority having to deal with it, as I am.

Lastly:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too can become great.” — Mark Twain