Attitude and Perception

     Shared by Lead with Giants! Thank you.

     As the semester's ending and both my undergraduate and graduate students move on to their next opportunities I'm struck by hope.  Even in a global economy filled with uncertainty and modest job opportunities for most.  In part that stems from having spent more than a year with the graduate students, and the progress in the undergraduate students not of understanding theory, but of understanding self and how to apply theory to personal, professional and public life.

     The level of connectivity continues to grow exponentially in our societies.  The pace of change so rapid that boxing paradigms leaves one in quicksand rather than a firm foundation our grandparents and parents could build their lives upon generations ago.  The continuity with which one can survive, achieve, and contribute is rooted in the attitude we start with, the ability to observe and listen, and the perception applied to each individual moment building collaborative, innovative solutions.

     The more time I spend studying leadership and working the Industrial and Organizational Psychology PhD, reading countless peer-reviewed research, the more I see much of the theology we've had access to for thousands of years.  The Bible, the Koran, the Vedas and every major religion teach one patterns of behavior, respect for others, and levels of service that the management and leadership research only confirms with each new publication.  And one's ability to navigate uncertain futures with optimism and endurance greatly improves understanding the great Chuck Swindoll quote:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.” 

    Currently Vice-President of the Ogilvy Group, Rory Sutherland shares a Ted Talk below that demonstrates the breadth of knowledge we all should be pursuing (indirect of career path) as well as the importance perception (which frames attitude) holds for everyone one of us.