By Tino Mantella
TLG President & CEO
According to Britannica, self-fulfilling prophecy is defined as “a process through which an originally false expectation leads to its own confirmation. In a self-fulfilling prophecy, an individual’s expectation about another person or entity eventually result in the other person or entity acting in ways that confirm the expectations.”
In other words – if people talk about a perspective enough it gains momentum and generally ends up happening even if no one really wants it to happen.
“Recession” is a case in point. Yes, gas prices are up, and from baby formula to food provisions, the supply chain is on life-support. Russia has started an unprovoked war with their neighbor. Interest rates are rising at an alarming rate as well.
On the other hand, in Georgia, our home state, and around the USA – unemployment is at one of its lowest rates in our nation’s history. Consumers are spending, businesses are investing, and wages are rising. By August, the U.S. is projected to have recovered the jobs lost during the pandemic. Airports are overflowing and the gas prices haven’t yet stopped people from traveling…yet.
I understand that some of the positives that I have mentioned above can be inflation fuelers. Admittedly it’s a mixed bag and what goes up eventually comes down.
Developing Positive Self-Talk
I recently attended a meeting where attendees were talking about all the negative signs. During a pause a couple of the younger people said, “Stop, you are depressing me”. Even though they said it partly in jest, as one who runs a leadership development company, I took notice. Mental health has been a growing issue and it has been exacerbated during the pandemic. Hearing that the sky is falling doesn’t help.
Many of you know that Turknett Leadership Group (TLG) is a top leadership development firm in the USA. We coach on topics of mindfulness, helping our clients to develop positive, helpful self-talk while encouraging them to give themselves positive affirmations. We don’t suggest wearing “rose colored glasses”. Yet, we believe that positivity accounts for a lot. When we engage in positive self-talk, we can be more creative, collaborative, and innovative.
Today, I am seeing that some companies are anticipating a recession, so the downsizing is beginning. It’s always wise to have a plan, but as leaders, this is the time to double down on innovation, to add value for our services, and to remain positive. After all, if the leader is sounding an alarm, their followers are sure to get that message even if that’s not the desired result of said message.
It’s time to keep our heads folks and remain positive whenever we can. Rudyard Kipling is given credit for saying this in his poem If:
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too!”
In summary – do what you can to lift people up instead of dragging them down!
Tino
Contact Info:
Cell: 678-984-8528