Attitudes: The Toxic Three

Much is made of employees who are negative, insubordinate or uncooperative. Their attitudes practically cry out for correction.

But consider some other attitudes which are silent killers.

These attitudes can take down individuals and organizations. They are so poisonous that periodic introspection should be conducted to detect and measure the level of each. The discovery of a trace of any of them should be promptly followed by corrective action. The toxic three are:

• Rigidity: Stick to the plan regardless of reality. Keep flying it until something intervenes, such as a mountain.
• Complacency: Yes, we'll eventually get around to making any needed changes but we're in pretty good shape. At some point, we'll probably name a committee and order a study.
• Hubris: We're a really bright team and if we've decided that something is right, it's right.

You're the doctor. Have you noticed any of those in your organization? Have you personally sipped any of those poisons?