People label others in all kinds of ways in the workplace. You may be seen as a go-getter or someone who can think quickly on their feet. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, you may have landed a reputation as someone who tends to disagree with others or shoot down most ideas. It’s never a good thing when your coworkers, bosses or clients view you as a negative person.

David Dye, the president of Let’s Grow Leaders, says that most people get a negative label because of how they respond to ideas. After listening to someone speak, they may say something like, “I see a couple of problems here …” or “I don’t think that’s realistic because …”

If this sounds like you, you know that you might be right, but it’s not helping your relationship with your peers or your career overall. So, what can you do to change the way people see you at work? According to Dye, you can make a few simple shifts. We share his suggestions in this issue of Promotional Consultant Today.

Shift 1: Affirm. Instead of immediately saying why you don’t like something or all the reasons it couldn’t work, find something good to say about the idea. This will help your idea people feel heard and relationship people feel connected, Dye says. Try saying something like, “Wow, that’s interesting. I hadn’t thought about that before” or “I appreciate you thinking about how we can save money here.”

Shift 2: Present problems as solutions. Remember that many people get labeled as negative because they share their honest opinion, which may come off as brash. To get around this, try repackaging problems as solutions or opportunities. Dye recommends saying something like, “That’s a great idea. Here are three things we can do to make sure it succeeds. First, let’s ensure the contractor has experience in this area. Then, if we can find someone at this price point, this could really work.”

Shift 3: Learn to manage yourself. This one takes some effort, but it’s key in changing how people view you. When you feel stressed or pulled in many different directions at work, you’re more likely to skip shifts 1 and 2. Or, you may do them, but you may sound tired or whiny. Dye says it’s important to “take your temperature” when you find yourself in a conversation where you would typically be told you are negative. Pause and think about how you feel. If you know you’re tired or frustrated, consider waiting before you respond. Say something like, “I appreciate you bringing this up. I’m trying to solve 3 things at once right now, and I want to make sure I give your idea the positive attention it deserves. Can we talk first thing tomorrow?”

Want to be seen in a more positive light at work? Try following the guidance above. It will take intention and practice, but when you put in the work, you can begin to change the way people see you.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers 

Source: David Dye is the president of Let’s Grow Leaders, an international leadership development and training firm. He’s also the award-winning author of four books and host of the podcast, Leadership Without Losing Your Soul.