Attitude and Performance Unit 2 – Leading Attitude and Performance

Attitude Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  - W. C. Fields The best way to inspire people to superior performance is to convince them by everything you do and by your everyday attitude that you are wholeheartedly supporting them. - Wilfred Peterson Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. - Harold S. Geneen

What is Attitude? An attitude is a manner of feeling or thinking that shows a person’s disposition or opinion. Attitudes are positive, negative, or neutral views. A manager reflects a positive attitude when she says, “My team is the best in the business.”

There are three components to attitude. The ABC’s of attitude are: 1. Affective (or emotional), i.e., the component of attitude which relates to a person’s feelings toward an issue, object, event, person, or idea.  E.g., the manager feels good about the members of the team and she/he really likes working with the team. It is the component that concerns the degree of preference.

The ABC’s of attitude are: 2. Behavioural, i.e., the component of attitude which relates to how a person intends to respond or behave.  E.g., the manager intends to continue working with the team to ensure they are successful.

The ABC’s of attitude are: 3. Cognitive, i.e., the component of attitude which relates to a person’s knowledge and beliefs.  E.g., the manager believes that the team’s work is excellent

Attitudes and Behaviours Attitudes and behaviours are not the same thing. Attitudes are usually a good predictor of behaviours, but not always. When a person’s attitudes and behaviours do not match, psychologists call this cognitive dissonance.

Can you think of a time when you offered a reason for your behaviour even though you didn’t believe it? This dissonance usually makes a person very uncomfortable and results in an attempt to regain balance. This balance can only be regained by correcting the behaviour and trying to make amends, or changing your attitude and accepting that type of behaviour.  You may also attempt to excuse your behaviour and blame it on a temporary lapse brought about by a particular situation.  

Positive Workplace Attitudes and Behaviours What attitudes should managers possess and model in the workplace? What are the attitudes that managers like to see in their employees?

Positive Workplace Attitudes and Behaviours Here are five attitudes that are helpful in any workplace: (1) strong commitment to the job, (2) loyalty, (3) courtesy, (4) humility, and (5) integrity.

Positive Workplace Attitudes and Behaviours Ideally, a positive workplace attitude will lead to positive workplace behaviour. At most successful businesses, you can expect to see these behaviours:

At most successful businesses, you can expect to see these behaviours: (1) Low rates of absenteeism, (2) Employees who show up each day on time (punctuality), (3) Desire to do a good job, (4) Respect for the boss, other employees, and customers. Respectful people do not discriminate.

Check Your Understanding Attitudes are formed based on an ABC model. Which of the following is the C component of the ABC model of attitude? conscience cognitive clarity consistent

Answer The correct answer is b) cognitive. The cognitive component of attitude relates to a person’s knowledge and beliefs.

Check Your Understanding What is the term used by psychologists to describe an inconsistency between a person’s attitude and behaviour? personality assessment social responsibility incompatible ideas cognitive dissonance

Answer The correct answer is d) cognitive dissonance.