Finding the Bright Spots

In the February issue of Fast Company, there is excerpt from a new book titled, Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard. I found the article interesting and it made me really think about my approach to the people I manage as well as my loved ones (and I just ordered the book to read more). The theme from the excerpt is that we need to focus on the successes (the bright spots) to lead us to solutions and improvements. The authors use a great example from Jerry Sternin of Save the Children who found glimmers of positive admist the malnutrition in Vietnam to help women nourish their children.

How many times do we focus on the negative and try to rationally solve problems? Try every day. Instead of focusing on what my team can't do, I need to be proud of what they can do and determine how I can develop their skills. And before getting frustrated that my son has made a mess in the kitchen, living room or bathroom, I need to stop and celebrate what he accomplished and how he is trying to do things all by himself. Little things. Bright spots.