Two employees are laid off. They hold the exact same job title, functions, and salary.
One struggles to find a new position, sending out dozens of resumes, making countless phone calls, and chasing umpteen leads. He attends mixers and job fairs, obtains career-counseling and resume consultations, and puts the word out to everyone he knows, both in his personal and professional life. Five months later, there’s no interest.
The second employee finds his phone ringing off the hook the moment the announcement is made. He fields several offers, takes his time considering his options, and eventually negotiates a higher rate of pay than his last job. He slides seamlessly into his new position the day his second one ends without a gap in income, benefits, or productivity.
What’s the Difference?
You may assume the second employee has more experience, a better record, or advanced degrees. Perhaps he has more contacts “in the business” or is related to someone prominent.
False. The biggest difference between the two employees is attitude.
Attitude Is Everything.
Employee One came to work and did his job just like everyone else. He worked hard, and was frazzled and short with people to make a point. If something wasn’t working as planned, he was quick to give up and move on to the next task. If someone wasn’t high on his priority list, he would let phone calls go unreturned for days.
Employee Two came to work each day ready to succeed. His philosophy was to say “yes” first and hammer out the details later. Employees and clients alike enjoyed working with him because each encounter was a positive experience. He worked hard to make everyone happy, including himself. He was seldom stressed or frantic. He treated each person with respect, from the mailman to the CEO.
It’s Easy to Make Excuses for Other People’s Success
Though their sales records are identical, Employee Two is easier to work with, and had an attitude toward success. Company morale is higher because he is around, and clients look forward to referring others to his services.
His reputation precedes him. Companies want to snatch him up because they’ve heard (or experienced) such great things from him. In the long run, he’s a much better investment for employers, because he is not quick to give up or throw temper tantrums. He intends to succeed, and doesn’t let anything stand in his way. However, that does not mean he steps on people. He helps others succeed along the way.
Meanwhile, Employee One has a track record of being difficult to work with. Even though he eventually gets the job done, the process is so excruciating for everyone involved that it often doesn’t seem worth the effort. His brusque approach is a turn-off to clients. His attitude says me, me, me.
Though the two may be at the same place in their career at the time of the lay-off, it would not have stayed that way for long. Employee One would have found himself his own worst enemy, constantly struggling against his bad attitude. Employee Two has already found his attitude pays off.
The Best Way to Get Ahead Is to Have a Good Attitude
Focus on your job and maintain a positive approach to everything you do. It may not seem to make an immediate difference, but over time it will be noticed and rewarded.
