There are many ways to encourage people. Some people aim to create a positive atmosphere in which people can feel safe, supported and, when appropriate, work towards specific goals.
Different people do this in different ways. One approach is for them to have a positive attitude, translate this into positive actions and create a positive atmosphere. This can help people to develop and grow.
Some people may do this when acting as a parent, partner or friend. Some may do it when working as a teacher, coach, medic, therapist, trusted advisor, leader or in another professional role.
Imagine that you want to follow elements of this approach in your own way. This can involve focusing on the following themes.
Positive Attitude
People who take this approach are often positive realists. They have a positive attitude but are also good at reading reality. They are good at recognising both successful and unsuccessful patterns in life.
Such people build on what they can control in situations. They also focus on the possibilities rather than just the problems. Bearing this in mind, they take a similar approach when encouraging people. They often aim:
To focus on people’s possibilities – such as their strengths and successful patterns;
To focus on helping people to build on their strengths and find solutions to challenges;
To focus on how to help people, teams and organisations to achieve their picture of success.
Such people recognise that having a positive attitude is just the starting point and it is vital to translate this into action. This leads them to the next stage.
Positive Actions
People who take this approach aim to act in a way that helps to create a positive atmosphere. Whilst they may believe in being kind, this means little unless their beliefs are translated into action.
Such people often look ahead and plan what they are going to do that day. Those who aim to encourage others may start by exploring the following themes.
How can I encourage people today? How can I make a person feel the centre of my world? How can I find out what is happening in their world? If appropriate, how can I help them to achieve their goals?
Such people may then rehearse how they can encourage people and translate their caring into action. Different people will do this in different ways.
A good educator will aim to create a positive environment in which students feel at ease and able to explore. They will then help then them to build on their strengths, set specific goals and do their best to achieve success.
A good leader will aim to be positive and predictable. They will then communicate the organisation’s purpose and enable motivated people to make their best contributions towards achieving the picture of success.
Such people believe in having a positive attitude and translating this into action. They take these steps to increase the chances of maintaining the next theme.
Positive Atmosphere
People who take this approach believe in value of creating a positive atmosphere. They recognise it is important to build an environment that enables people to grow.
Such people may aim to do this by building a happy family, providing an inspiring education or creating a stimulating work place. They believe that people remember the atmosphere and how they felt in a particular environment.
Good leaders often aim to build a positive and professional culture. They encourage and, when appropriate, educate and enable people to grow. When it comes to organisations, they follow that old saying that:
Culture eats strategy for breakfast.
Such leaders may also take steps to protect the culture if people do not follow the required professional standards. They invite people to decide if: a) they are prepared to follow these standards in the future; b) they prefer to move on to another place.
Good leaders act as custodians of the culture and never walk past a quality problem. They act immediately to protect the people who want to contribute and deliver the required professional standards.
There are many ways to encourage people in life. One approach is to have a positive attitude, translate this into positive actions and continue to build a positive atmosphere.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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