Comments on: The Power of Negative Thinking http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/10/19/the-power-of-negative-thinking/ Ford Harding's Blog on Rainmaking and Business Development Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:23:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Stop Negative Thinking http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/10/19/the-power-of-negative-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-36962 Stop Negative Thinking Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:09:09 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=509#comment-36962 Hi, Good article. It seems a fine line between developing a habit or leaning towards positive thinking and just being blindly optimistic. It is certainly not good for mental health to get into a negative thinking spiral, but if controllable, a touch of realism and pessimism is defintely necessary. If anything, it stops us getting run over by cars if we wander out into the road! Hi,

Good article. It seems a fine line between developing a habit or leaning towards positive thinking and just being blindly optimistic.

It is certainly not good for mental health to get into a negative thinking spiral, but if controllable, a touch of realism and pessimism is defintely necessary. If anything, it stops us getting run over by cars if we wander out into the road!

]]> By: Ford Harding http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/10/19/the-power-of-negative-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-36888 Ford Harding Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:07:53 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=509#comment-36888 Christopher Thanks for the link. Ford Harding Christopher

Thanks for the link.

Ford Harding

]]> By: Christopher Parsons http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/10/19/the-power-of-negative-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-36887 Christopher Parsons Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:01:09 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=509#comment-36887 Ford, This reminds of a great article in HBR that I read a few weeks ago on bring an energizer: http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/kanter/2009/09/tips-for-being-an-energizer.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a38:g26:r1:c0.005626:b27998024:z6 I think one of the other added benefits beyond sales to being optimistic is that being able to "brush it off" lifts the spirits of your team as well. Great post! Chris Ford,

This reminds of a great article in HBR that I read a few weeks ago on bring an energizer:

http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/kanter/2009/09/tips-for-being-an-energizer.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a38:g26:r1:c0.005626:b27998024:z6

I think one of the other added benefits beyond sales to being optimistic is that being able to “brush it off” lifts the spirits of your team as well.

Great post!

Chris

]]> By: Ford Harding http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/10/19/the-power-of-negative-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-36883 Ford Harding Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:56:11 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=509#comment-36883 Anne: That is a good distinction. Ford Harding Anne:

That is a good distinction.

Ford Harding

]]> By: Anne Simmons http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/10/19/the-power-of-negative-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-36882 Anne Simmons Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:43:49 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=509#comment-36882 Great piece. We often forget about downsides when we are so focused on bringing in the big deal. I would say that it is less about negativism and more about skepticism. What is seriously wrong in today's business world is a lack of critical thinking that includes the downside. Risk management, when looking at deals and client opportunities, is a critical component that many label as negative thinking. Understanding what can go wrong and how to hedge it is important if you are going to sustain a viable business. Rainmakers tend, in my opinion, to have strong charismatic personalities. This kind of person can create an environment of intimidation and "group think" without even meaning to do so. Healthy skepticism is a good way to protect yourself and your firm. Great piece. We often forget about downsides when we are so focused on bringing in the big deal.

I would say that it is less about negativism and more about skepticism. What is seriously wrong in today’s business world is a lack of critical thinking that includes the downside. Risk management, when looking at deals and client opportunities, is a critical component that many label as negative thinking. Understanding what can go wrong and how to hedge it is important if you are going to sustain a viable business. Rainmakers tend, in my opinion, to have strong charismatic personalities. This kind of person can create an environment of intimidation and “group think” without even meaning to do so. Healthy skepticism is a good way to protect yourself and your firm.

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