It's always the way when you have a great idea you are pitching at the office....there is always one person in the crowd who has to tell you why that won't work. Its seems you could tell this person the sky is blue and the sun is shining and like clockwork, they find the only dark cloud in the sky...such fun aren't they?
Folks like this are just joy killers or as I like to call them Negative Nellie’s...they feel the need to spread their own pessimism to others because of their own egotistical need to share even when they aren't ask. Why? The easy answer is low self esteem. Perhaps they haven't been given good guidance in the past; maybe they have been brow-beaten by lousy leaders or other collaborators who weren’t supportive of their own ideas, which gives them the cause to spread their "special sunshine" to those who have the confidence to bring forth their passion and insight.
How do you combat such folks? Kill'em with kindness? No, I think that puts a band aid on the larger wound. I have found that when I engage them, these negative nellie's soften up. I ask questions as to why they feel it's a bad idea, get their input, make them part of the process. I encourage them, reinforce the positive aspects of their impact and change the table on their attitude. This changes their perspective. In most cases, it's just the antidote to break them of this bad habit. Positive encouragement seems to be the cure. However, there can been pitfalls, some are just too far gone and they can sabotage the process, in those cases, it's time to cut bait. You just have to know you can't save everyone.
So the next time you face this situation, see if you can inspire a Negative Nelly into a Positive Polly...be creative and encourage a new habit to form
