Toxic positivity. Dr. Jen Frahm kicked out this term during a webinar on change and it resonated immediately. Some people are overwhelmingly positive when they shouldn’t be.
I coach leaders to demonstrate high energy (if they are not excited by a new direction, why should anyone else be?), but with an equal dose of honesty and transparency.
People have been misled by so many leaders that they have a highly attuned BS meter. How do you feel when a salesperson approaches you with a smile that is just a bit too wide. What happens when they wave off questions and concerns? You know there is a problem or a catch that will bite you at some point. There are lessons here for two groups:
Leaders
Be honest about the pain that a change is likely to cause. If you want people to do something new or different, acknowledge that it won’t be easy and there are likely to be challenges. Then tell them how you plan to support them through it so they will be successful.
Consultants
Don’t overpromise. Don’t hide issues. Don’t wait until they become problems.
In my early years, I thought it was best to keep bad news from the client because I might be able to fix it. I learned quickly that when it comes to bad news, no one likes surprises. If they find out you delayed telling them, and they could have intervened, you are in deep trouble. You are always better to leverage the collective brainpower of your team and your stakeholders to find solutions to problems. We are smarter together! I would rather lose some credibility over the problem than lose the contract or my reputation by pretending it’s fine.
Don’t be so positive. It’s toxic. Instead, be real.
In Consulting Masterclass I will be digging into the attitudes and emotions professionals should, and should not, display when working with clients and stakeholders. Grab your spot!
