I have a leadership bias against negativity.  There I said it. It’s out in the open.  I work hard to always see the glass half full no matter what happens.  HOWEVER, I’m human just like you and some days “Mind Monsters” get in my way.  I bet it happens to you too. Today, I’ve got the antidote for you. 

I read this quote in Harvard Business Review recently, “Leadership is not about being in charge; it's about taking care of those in your charge.” When you eliminate a negative mindset AKA mind monster, you create space for your team—and yourself—to thrive.

Every leader faces tough situations, how you handle those challenges and the mindset you bring into the room determines the culture and success of your organization. Leaders are not immune to negativity, but the best know how to manage it. Here’s how.

Identify the Root Causes of Negativity

The first step in eliminating negativity is to identify where it comes from. Forbes highlights that leadership negativity often stems from stress, uncertainty, or a lack of control. Maybe you're overwhelmed with a growing to-do list, or you're facing tough decisions without a clear path forward. These feelings can turn into negative thoughts that seep into your leadership style.

Start by being honest with yourself. Are you stressed about an upcoming project? Are you frustrated with a lack of progress? Once you understand the source, you can start working toward a solution. In many cases, simply acknowledging that you’re feeling stressed or uncertain can reduce the intensity of the negativity and allow you to refocus.

Shift Your Focus Toward Solutions

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong, but that won’t get you closer to solving the issue. Leaders who focus on problems instead of solutions inadvertently fuel negativity.

When a challenge arises, take a moment to reframe the situation. Instead of thinking, “Why is this happening to me?” shift to, “How can I solve this?” This not only shifts the energy from negative to positive but also empowers you to take action. Solution-oriented thinking is contagious; your team will follow your lead, and together you can turn setbacks into growth opportunities.

When I do performance reviews I try to never say, “this is what you’re doing wrong. Instead, I say you have a growth opportunity in this area, and I ask the staff member what ideas they have to grow in the specific area and then I’ll offer a few additional ideas that can help.

Be Intentional with Gratitude

One of the most effective tools for eliminating negativity is practicing gratitude. A study published in Forbes shows that leaders who regularly express gratitude create more positive and productive work environments. Gratitude forces you to shift your focus from what's missing to what you have making that mind monster run for the hills.  Negativity and positivity can’t co-exist.

Control Your Inner Dialogue

I think this is the hardest part.  As a leader, your internal dialogue can be your biggest asset or your greatest enemy. The stories you tell yourself about a situation—whether it’s a missed deadline or an underperforming project—will shape your reactions. Negative self-talk like “I’m failing” or “This will never work” reinforces negativity and creates a barrier to productive leadership.

I haven’t been able to completely eliminate negative thoughts, this is the most powerful mind monster, however, I have developed the skill of seizing negative thoughts captive the minute they happen and can immediately force myself to reframe the situation.  This doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent practice, you can do this too.

Eliminating mind monsters isn’t a one-time fix—it’s a continuous practice of these three simple steps.

1. Practice Gratitude: Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, reflect on what’s going right. Gratitude helps shift your focus to the positives.
2. Reframe Problems as Opportunities: Instead of dwelling on the difficulties, reframe them. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”
3. Surround Yourself with Growth-Oriented People: Your environment plays a huge role in your mindset. Seek out individuals who challenge and inspire you and avoid those who pull you into negative thinking.