For part seven of this Attitude is Everything series, visit Yo…Lighten UP! On Blogging4Jobs.

FORGIVENESS is the final attitude needed in the work place if we’re ever going to get this country back on track!

“Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic Answer, but the right answer.  Let us not seek to fix blame for the past.  Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.” ~ John F. Kennedy

Forgiveness is THE hardest attitude to truly embrace.  As human beings, we are hard-wired to “get positional” when conflict occurs…which means we fall right into the trap of the blame game!  Where has this attitude gotten us in any of our relationships??  Blame is the reason that we are divided the in United States!

FORGIVENESS

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” ~ Alexander Pope

“It’s just business – don’t take it personally.”  This is an outdated trite business phrase and in 2013 it’s considered a lie.  We are no longer in the Industrial Age of business, but rather a time of a Connection Economy!

Long gone are the days when a boss could scream an employee into submission, but our “emotionally evolved” management style is what I call the new narcissism.  Let’s be honest – our polished interpersonal skills are a shield to give the impression that we actually give a damn about what you think.

I absolutely HATE feeling “played”, controlled, or simply ignored in any of my relationships.  I’m a dedicated 2^nd generation Irish, Catholic, hard-working lass.  I know how to listen and follow direction, but I also want my voice to be heard!  I’m sick of being a good girl….but I am good at forgiving.  How ‘bout YOU?

So what NEEDS to change

For the sake of the

Next Generation of Leadership?

Metaskills are a higher-order skill which allows other skills to occur.  What??  Listen, it’s like this – If I have the metaskill of being highly organized…than I will have the ability to apply that skill to many parts of my life….organized closets, drawers, bills, and being organized at work!

Metaskills, when applied to relationships, are also known as Attitudes.  Choosing the right attitude is a skill that takes time and lots of practice.

8 necessary attitudes needed in our business relationships

1. Inquiry/Awareness  (Attitude is Everything)
2. Respect  (R-E-S-P-E-C-T)
3. Collaboration/Partnership  (Should Collaboration in the Workplace be required?)
4. Deep Democracy  (Being a Benevolent Dictator has a Nasty Reputation!)
5. Commitment  (The C Word)
6. Heart  (You Gotta Have Grit for the Game)
7. Playfulness  (Yo…Lighten Up!)   …and finally
8. FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is ultimately the key to having sustainable, connected, and growing business relationships. It’s what will continue to bring success.  It allows departments to re-align on their business goals, take accountability for mistakes and re-infuse passion into meeting the mission of the company. When you wear forgiveness like a cloak, it doesn’t mean you are weak – it makes you human.  The divine is the invisible spirit your organization feels when everyone KNOWS they belong on a winning team!

We’re in the middle of a paradigm shift…The Silent Generation, Baby Boomers and GenX’s were raised on bureaucratic, controlling, hierarchy-based business relationships…The GenY’s and all those that will come after are growing up in a time of evolving Leadership.  This is something completely different from “management”.  Mangers manage outcomes through controlling methods.  Leadership is inspirational, creative, resourceful and flexible.  Leadership is uncharted territory…

So, put your helmet on and get in the game.  There’s no better time than the present.

“If you don’t like something, change it.  If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” ~ Maya Angelou