We have the conversations we are aware off, with ourselves, and the conversations we are not aware off. But both conversations influence our behavior. In many cases, even drive it substantially. In studying people, and situations, and diarizing their behaviours in response to various stimuli I’ve fed them, for 7 years – what I’ve noted about negative sentiment and intent is – “a large proportion of it seems to be driven by the use of negative words by an individual – verbally or gesturally – and one word, ‘can’t’, tops the list”. Liebrecht, Hustinx and Mulkin who found that negative sentiment was more powerful as an influencer than positive sentiment, point out in their Sage Journal article called The Relative Power of Negativity: The Influence of Language Intensity on Perceived Strength that ‘what drives negativity bias is fear followed by an evaluative mindset.’
This is a very significant finding – because the more aware we make people (including ourselves) aware of this TRUTH, the more we give them and ourselves the power to change it.
Truth exists in the moment So, often to find truth, what we have to recreate is the moment. We recreate moments by taking events and by reflecting on them. The more we reflect, the more insights we unearth to help us understand a problem and take the strategic (root level) action that is necessary for us to solve it.
People struggle with negative behavior because they don’t understand what drives it In many cases, it’s the use of negative language. The use of words like ‘no’, ‘can’t,’ ‘cannot’, ‘don’t’, ‘you’ll fall’ (implied negative), ‘you’ll never do it’ don’t just affect a person you may these words towards (if they are unaware), they also affect ‘you’ – and at a personal and intimate level.
We can’t alter truth but we can alter what drives it The use of negative words in our lexicon. (language). This, numerous researchers have demonstrated with evidence, improves an individual’s calm, well-being, peace of mind and ability to perform.
Corporations and owner-operated businesses will benefit from having presentations made to staff on language and how the move from negative to positive words in daily interactions with peers, partners, vendors and colleagues can enhance their mental health and through the process, their cognitive capabilities too.
When we enhance cognition (the ability to understand) we enhance communication (the ability to express oneself with assertion but not aggression – the line between the two is very fine) and the wheels of business start to turn – as they ought to – again!
Besides running Dsouza Consulting, the author is also studying for a Bachelor in Psychological Science at the Australian College of Psychology Sydney Australia. To obtain an understanding of tools and processes that can help you identify whether your staff’s communication is negative or positive – we can do it electronically – please contact the author on 0450 545 725 or email Patrick@dsouzaconsulting.com.au www.dsouzaconsulting.com.au
Patrick D’souza Business Owner Dsouza Consulting The best thing we can be is HONEST 3 Clifton Avenue Burwood Sydney 2134 NSW Australia M: 0450 545 725 www.dsouzaconsulting.com.au
ABN: 9571 6653 189
