Negativity?

[Dayray, RN]

Whats going on people?

I've been coming to this board for a while. There have always been debates and even some heated discussions (which can be stimulating and even productive). Lately I see far too much flaming and just plain meanness (that are neither pleasant to read or serve any good).

first post I click into, someone complaining about spelling???? wtf?? why do you care how someone else spells?

next post, people flaming because they think the thread violates HIPAA, again why do you care? I mean if you are concerned by it don't post info you aren't comfortable with but don't flame others.

next post I read, people blasting the poster because they are upset about the bosses pet. all the responses I saw were nit picking little points and passing up the real reason the person was upset.

Come on people, this is supposed to be fun. If we wanted stress or to be nit picked, preached to or flamed we could all just go to work where we at least get paid for stress. Ease up on each other. The people that come here are all our peers and yes sometimes we are going to disagree or even argue but flaming just to flame isn't cool.

Please don't try to say you are trying to educate or right a wrong because your not helping anyone. The only thing flames or corrections do are to gain a small stroke to your own ego at the expense of others. Not to mention the fact that it's just plain tired and old.

Please remember that the people on this board are just like you and you wouldn't like others to flame or correct you would you?

[JuicyJem]

I concur.

[StephMSeattle]

Right on!

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I try to have a lighthearted comeback to lighten the mood. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.

I guess we all have our passions and soapboxes.

renerian

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

This board is not ''supposed" to be fun.

As soon as someone has expectations about what a board is "supposed" to be them they get quickly disappointed. I just take it as it is. Hundreds of threads don't contain flames, why concentrate on those three and tell us how we are supposed to be.

Life isn't all fun. Nursing isn't all fun. Doesn't mean we shouldn't have fun, but I don't think this board is supposed to be fun, or supposed to be anything.

I'm sure you can hold me up as an example of nitpicking, but I haven't noticed any more or less negativity than usual. There always has been negativity on this board as long as I've been here. But it definately doesn't overshadow those posts looking for information, those posts venting frustrations and those posts that are fun.

Just my two cents!

Woot!

:kiss

[dphrn]

Sometimes the truth is negative. Do responses always have to be cheerful and cute, or can they be truthful and not so fun? I want honest opinions, not just the feel good answer.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Besides a few more people on the Current Events who dislike President Bush and are pretty darn mad, I've not noticed any differences.

There is an ebb and flow to this board . . . sorta natural.

Ignore what you find negative and add to the positive stuff.

And don't feed any trolls, just in case.

steph

[hbscott]

Coping Strategies for Working with Negativists without Avoiding Real (and Relevant) Issues

Recognize that an attitude problem exists.

The first step is to recognize that someone is expressing negativity in the workplace. Do not ignore it if it is affecting that person's performance, your performance, the performance of others, or relationships with your clients or customers.

Acknowledge any underlying causes for the negative attitude.

As we know, negativity has many causes. The factors could include personal problems, work-related stress, a difficult boss, job insecurity, loss of loyalty, lack of growth or advancement opportunities, and so forth. It helps to get the person to see the causes for his or her negativity.

Help the person take responsibility.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the negative person to change his or her negative attitude and behaviors at work. Even though the person may have every right to feel the way he or she does, it is still not appropriate for the workplace. As a team member or boss, you need to help the colleague recognize this and to have him or her take ownership.

Replace negative, inappropriate reactions with different, more acceptable ones.

The person may not know what to do differently to come across as more positive. It will often be up to you to specify exactly what that is.

Instill positive attitudes in others.

Be the role model for your negativists through your actions and behaviors. You can prevent their negativity by instilling in them the positivist bug. If you do that, they may never catch the negativity virus again (Topchik, 2001, pp. 23-24)."

Reference: Topchik, G.S. (2001). Managing workplace negativity. New York: AMACOM.

***

The one thing I remember most from my Oncology Practice is a patient who told me "I bet you never had a patient on their death bed tell you that they should have spent more time at the office."

So True, So True...

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

hbscott . . . :chuckle :roll

steph

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

hbscott, do you really believe all that.

Life is simple, if it bothers you ignore it. If you love it then embrace it. You are only responsible for your self , not for others.

[hbscott]

Originally posted by teeituptom

hbscott, do you really believe all that.

Life is simple, if it bothers you ignore it. If you love it then embrace it. You are only responsible for your self , not for others.

Leaders, Managers and Supervisors are often held responsible and accountable for others if the workplace has become hostile and/or unsafe.

-HBS

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

you didnt answer the question

I asked if you believed it, not what your position requires.