By Steve Adubato, PhD

In his thought provoking book “Thinking for a Change,” John Maxwell talks about how important thinking is to how well we manage in the world of business.  Maxwell argues that too often academic institutions (as well as leaders of organizations) try to teach people “what to think--not how to think.”  Yet, having information itself is not enough.  Rather, taking that information and doing something meaningful with it—because of how you think—is where we often succeed.

In the same way, how we think has a tremendous impact on how we communicate.  Think about it, if you are a normally negative or pessimistic person who thinks of the glass as half empty, your communication in these situations will be greatly influenced.  A few weeks ago I wrote about great leaders embracing change.  Much of this has to do with these same people thinking about change in a positive way.  These leaders see the glass as half full, even when the odds are stacked against them.

Consider a comparable situation confronting two leaders in business who think in very different ways.  The market for their respective products is shrinking and they face tough economic times.  Layoffs are a prospect as well as serious budget cuts.  The person who thinks that this is a doomsday scenario will communicate in a pessimistic fashion; “Our market is shrinking.  People just don’t want our products any more.  I can see the handwriting on the wall.  I am not sure how we are going to survive.  Things look bleak.” 

Of course this type of communication has an adverse effect on everyone who hears it.  Many employees are afraid.  They panic.  They send out their resumes.  Productivity suffers.  The rumor mill takes over and people spend countless hours on counterproductive activities. 

However, the leader who thinks more optimistically sees the same situation and communicates accordingly; “Sure, the market is changing and people seem to want and need products and services that we are not currently providing.  What a great opportunity for us to rethink who we are and what we do.  I’m excited about our prospects and I’ve identified three new areas that we absolutely have to get into.  Further, I know we have a great team to get this done…”

Same situation, yet two different leaders thinking about the situation in very different ways and communicating accordingly.  Simply put, how we think largely determines who and what we ultimately are both in work and at home. 

So what does this mean to you at a time of great economic uncertainty?  We have to better manage and monitor our thinking.  It is not enough to say you are going to improve your communication by utilizing certain tools and techniques.  Rather, you have to make sure that you’re thinking in positive, constructive and creative ways before you communicate.  If you tend to think of things in pessimistic and negative ways, realize that it is directly impacting your interaction with others and decide to change it. 

Further, if you are thinking tends to be positive and optimistic, make sure that your communication reflects those thoughts.   In addition, as an engaged leader, you must be more aware of how your people are thinking and coach them accordingly.  Don’t allow for the negative thinkers to adversely impact others.  Sit down with that team player.  Ask him what he is thinking and why.  Let him know that such negative thinking produces negative action and ultimately a negative work environment. 

It’s time for all of us to start “thinking for a change” and not simply go on auto-pilot and accept how we currently see the world.  You can begin to change the way you think right now.  The question is, will you; and if not, what’s the alternative?