Getting training in order. The correct order.

Before you attempt to put a training program in place at your organization, make sure it has fertile soil for success—and that means can-do attitudes among your staff.

Many companies are considering training programs for the new year: New budgets. New needs. New opportunities.

And most companies will concentrate on “it.” Whatever “it” is. More sales, a new product launch, customer service, internal operations, diversity, or whatever is pressing.

All of that is wrong—or should I say, out of order.

Before you train ANYTHING, before you launch any new program or initiative, ask yourself these two questions:

1. How positive are the attitudes of our people?

2. How attitudinally receptive will our people be to this training?

If the answer to “How’s our attitude?” is “Not too good” or “Inconsistent” or “My attitude is great,it’s everyone else’s attitude that’s the problem!” then the training will be met with resistance, and will fall short of your expected outcome. Way short.

A Simple Solution

The answer to this dilemma is very simple, yet it’s overlooked at most every company in the world: Train attitude first. Positive attitude. YES! Attitude.

Positive attitude is not a “program” or an “initiative.” It’s an imperative. It’s not the “flavor of the month.” It’s the feeling of and for a lifetime. Your lifetime.

Attitude is the mood of every employee. Positive attitude leads to positive productivity and positive communication.

Attitude is both foundational and fundamental. Attitude is foundational to all aspects of corporate productivity, communication, and harmony. It’s the basis for what is erroneously known as morale. It’s NOT morale—it’s attitude. Low morale is a symptom; poor attitude is the problem.

Attitude is fundamental to all aspects of job performance. How much more profitable would your company be if EVERY employee (including you) had the attitude of yes?

Attitude Destructors

These days, attitude is easily deteriorated. Budget cuts, over-tasked employees, poor leadership, lower profits, and increased pressure to “do more with less.” Yet attitude is virtually ignored by every company HR and training department. Why? It’s hard to measure the ROI. Pity.

You’ve heard the expression: Attitude is everything.

Let me break it down for you so you can have a better understanding of how “everything” attitude really is:

Your attitude rules your mood, your self-esteem and your communication. It rules your interactions and your thought process. Your attitude rules how you perceive things, how you perceive people, and how others perceive you.

Your attitude rules your service. Your sales. Your career, family and, yes, your life.

And at the end of positive attitude in your business is a ton of referrals and a great reputation.

Pretty important, huh?

Look Inward

Well, if your attitude is so important, how come you don’t spend 15 minutes at home each morning building it? Or 15 minutes in the morning when you get to work? What are YOU doing to ensure that every employee gets a daily YES! message?

Here are a few more attitude insights:

• Attitude starts at home with your family.

• Attitude is personal. It’s not about other people or other circumstances. Attitude is ALL about you.

• Attitude is selfish. You do it for yourself first. Then and only then can you give it, or pass it along, to others.

• Attitude is a choice. You are always free to choose: How you give value. Doing what you love. Having the right attitude.

• Attitude is a gift and a blessing—self-given and self-imposed. And it is my greatest hope that you discover that truth and bless yourself forever.

Maybe it’s time to invest in attitude training.

Return to Ingram's February 2012

Jeffrey Gitomer is author of The Little Red Book of Selling and The Little Red Book of Sales Answers.
P     | 704.333.1112
E     | salesman@gitomer.com