⚡ How Negativity Undermines Your Leadership

A QUICK TIP TO STRENGTHEN YOUR SELF-BELIEF

If you’re holding back from taking action, ask yourself: “If I was ready, what would I do next?”

🧠 Why it works: It bypasses the need for perfect confidence and unlocks your next step.

👉 Use it: When imposter thoughts block action.

🔍 DEEP DIVE

⚡ How Negativity Undermines Your Leadership (and How to Reset Fast)

You replay yesterday’s meeting (again). The awkward comment. The slide that fell flat.

By the time you walk into the office, your mind is on what went wrong.

Your tone is sharper. The energy around you feels heavier.

And your team notices it before you’ve said a word.

Why It Happens

The brain has a built-in negativity bias.

One problem outweighs five positives. A single critical comment lingers longer than the praise that came before it.

Once that bias takes over, your mind zeroes in on risks, flaws and threats, while overlooking what’s going well.

And it’s not just internal, it shows up in your tone, pace and energy, and those around you pick up on it fast.

That’s why even one negative thought pattern can quietly undermine how you lead.

💡 Insight: Noticing negativity quickly is the first step. Resetting it fast protects your presence and your impact.

3 Fast Resets for Negativity Hits

1. Name It to Interrupt It

Unnoticed, negativity can take over. Labelling it gives you choice.

• “This is my negativity bias talking.”

• “I’m only stuck on the problem here.”

2. Shift from Problem to Purpose

Negativity narrows your attention to what went wrong, rather than what matters now.

To redirect your attention, ask yourself:

• “What outcome matters most today?”

• “What’s the bigger picture here?”

💡 Action: Write down your top 3 priorities for the day. This interrupts the pattern and makes you look ahead.

3. Reset Your State

Negativity isn’t just in your thoughts. It’s in your body.

• Plant your feet

• Drop your shoulders

• Take 3 slow breaths

Even one minute of physical reset steadies your tone before the next conversation.

This Week’s Challenge

Catch one moment where negativity starts to creep in.

Name it.

Then use a reset, mental or physical, before your next interaction.

Final Thought

Negativity isn’t weakness. It’s wiring.

But when it’s left unchecked, it narrows your focus and spreads through the room.

You don’t need to eliminate it.

You need to catch it quickly and reset before it undermines how you lead.