Architectural leadership in times of Covid-19: The power of positivity
Being positive is a relatively intuitive aspect of our day-to-day performance. It is not and should not be just a mantra to lead by; it should be a way of living.
Positivity is the strongest enabler not just in respect to motivating and managing highly performing teams and resolving business issues but also when dealing with your inner self.
When speaking of positivity people often misunderstand it for blind optimism. However, there is a fundamental difference in both. Blind optimism is based on a level of ignorance and naivety. Positivity is what describes a mental state, a lighthearted attitude; it is the “glass half full” outlook on life.
The human brain is designed to localize and warn us about danger. When we disconnect from an ability to see clearly and analyze our environment consciously we fall into what is commonly called as a “monkey brain” reality. Our reactions to the outside world become very un-conscious.
Within that we can perceive certain situations as threatening to us, even though in reality they are not.
With the overwhelm of constant analysis, at times of stress it may be hard for us to distinguish flowers from weeds.
Even though our brain works in a protective way, it can be highly burdensome if we allow for it to take control and make us believe in a negative outlook onto any situation.
Positivity is not rooted in naivety. It rather is a developed ability to filter ones thoughts and choose the less stressful way of reacting to the outside stimuli.
Positivity has a direct influence on cortisol levels, helping people who practice it regularly stay calm. It is also extremely contagious, allowing everyone in the immediate environment of a positive person feel lighter, happier and more aligned.
Another very important factor of positivity is that it has a tremendous effect on people’s engagement levels. People naturally navigate towards more positive individuals, on average willing to collaborate, share and give more freely than with others.
What can help you enhance your positivity?
There are two key things that help enhance your positivity:
The first is energy.
Everything in life is in motion; life is about movement, change, growth, and energy.
Energy is your inner fuel, which allows you to face your every day life with ability and strength.
Energy encourages more life; it helps to maintain a healthy mind and as a result is directly influences positivity. Needless to say, negativity does just the opposite. We could even say that it sucks energy away from you, making you tired and uninspired.
So how to stay high on energy?
As mentioned above, energy is motion. What this means is that by keeping our body in motion we generate more energy.
Movement actually leads to more energy in the long run and is one of the most vital physical ways to increase energy. Exercising for 30 minutes a day for at least three days each week benefits all bodily systems while facilitating high-quality sleep, which in turn will increase energy levels.
For more information, read: How to increase energy in time of social distancing: basic principles.
Second thing that allows you to stay positive is perseverance.
Perseverance is very much connected to the sense of believe in your success. It’s an inner conviction that you will simply make it.
That certainty in yourself helps you keep at it, despite the conditions. It is a sense of inner trust in knowing that no matter that it is that you have to do to achieve your desired result, you will do it well.
Working on a sense of self-believe and your levels of perseverance can help you stay out of the negative mind and influence your actions by positive thoughts.
Positivity can be commercialized.
From a company culture perspective, your ability to stay positive is a key to the success of your team. Equally, intelligent recruitment focused on bringing in more positively natured individuals can have an outstanding result on your productivity as well as ways your business is capable to develop.
Being positive is being present.
Maintaining a positive attitude is not hard, it takes mindfulness to bring that aspect of yourself into your immediate environment, which helps you stay happy as well as influence people around you.
Find things that help you get into a better mood and start your day with it. Be it a jog, reading, writing, listening to great music, doing yoga or meditating.
Positivity requires you to be present. By staying in the moment people will recognize it and reflect that quality back at you.
Share your positivity in my Facebook group for architects, where I also share exclusive tips and resources that will help you on your journey to success.