Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Good morning,

Happy Friday! Have you ever gotten a new car and then suddenly you see the same model everywhere? Last time I bought a car it seemed like everybody followed my example and got the same one in the same color no less. Of course what really happened is this.

We find what we’re looking for.

This is true in pretty much all areas of our lives and when it comes to managing employees, apparently it’s been scientifically proven, according to an article in yesterday’s Science Daily.

“How leaders view their employees tends to become a self-fulfilling prophecy,” according to Thomas Sy, assistant professor of psychology at UC Riverside and a longtime business leadership consultant. In what he describes as the first study to examine leaders' conceptions of followers, the psychologist found that "if managers view followers positively -- that they are good citizens, industrious, enthusiastic -- they will treat their employees positively. If they think of their employees negatively -- that they are conforming, insubordinate and incompetent -- they will treat them that way," he said. "Manager beliefs about employees impact organizational outcomes."

This study is an interesting reinforcement of an important piece of common sense, that having positive expectations increases the likelihood of positive results.

Let’s stay positive – and have a sunny day!

Clarity

P.S. "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being." Goethe

P.P.S. I always enjoy hearing from you and I thank you for sharing Sunny Notes with others. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.

Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com

Perpetual Motion

Good Friday,

Happy Morning! Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear retired Ford Motor Company executive Andy Acho deliver a keynote speech on Practical Sustainability during an Earth Day event at the DIA hosted by Grand River Printing & Imaging. One of my favorite pieces of advice from Andy applies not only to environmental initiatives but also to life in general.

"Don't confuse motion with action."

This is so important to keep in mind because rushing around and spinning our wheels are counter productive to accomplishing goals and making progress.

Let's replace motion with action - and have a sunny Earth Day!

Clarity

P.S. "You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action." Anthony Robbins

P.P.S. Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.

Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
www.SunnyMediaGroup.com
313-268-6810

Just the Facts

Good morning,

It's Friday...and Rebecca Black's "Friday" YouTube video has surpassed a hundred-MILLION views. So maybe that means Friday's really are special! But if you're reading Sunny Notes instead of watching Rebecca, here's today's tip:

Get the facts first.

We put ourselves at risk when we draw conclusions, make decisions or take actions based on incomplete information. Sure, we might never have ALL the information about any given situation, but it's important to collect as many facts as possible before acting. Hours of unnecessary worry can be eliminated and many painful mistakes avoided simply by having the patience to withhold judgment or decision-making, until more information is available.

One of the most common actions people take before they have all the facts - gossip. One of the most effective ways to get accurate information about a situation involving another person - ask them!

Let’s get down to the facts of the matter - and have a sunny day!

Clarity

P.P.S. I always enjoy hearing from you and I thank you for sharing A Sunny Note with others. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.

Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com

Let's Face It

Good morning,

Happy Friday! Have you ever noticed that things we're afraid of or worry about most, often turn out to be nothing when we finally confront them? Instead of wasting energy on worry:

Take action.

Taking action to confront a fear is like turning on a light to confront the dark. You do it, and it usually turns out there was nothing there.

So whatever is worrying us most today, let's shine a light on it - and have a sunny day.

Clarity


"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." Plato

P.P.S. I always enjoy hearing from you and I thank you for sharing A Sunny Note with others. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.

Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com

The High Road

Good morning,

It's April 1st! Today, and every day, don't get fooled into taking the wrong turn when challenged by a provocative or combative individual. In almost every situation, we have a choice of either taking the high road or taking the low road. Often the "high road" means responding respectfully or professionally to disrespectful or unprofessional behavior. No matter what:

Treat others the way we would like to be treated.

Sometimes it's very difficult and that's when it's very important. Even though we can’t control other people’s behavior, we can always control our own, and everyone benefits when we take the high road.

So no matter what thunderstorms you run into this Friday, bring your own sunshine - and have a sunny day!

Clarity

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” ~James Matthew Barrie