Essay: How to Handle the Pessimist on Your Team

The article How to Handle a Pessimist addresses the best ways in which to manage negative behavior. The first step to changing the behavior of a pessimist is to figure out what is bothering them. The next step one must take is to reposition negative statements, which will eventually kill a team's motivation and momentum. The article also states that one should involve the whole team and not single out a team member in front of the group.

According to the article, whatever the source of pessimism may be, the best way to deal with the situation is to focus on the individual's behavior. It is much easier to change a person's behavior than it is to change a person's long-held beliefs. Some common forms of pessimism are not having been promoted or the need to cover for the lack of knowledge or skill.

As a leader, one must not let negativity linger. When a pessimist makes a negative statement, ask for clarification or more information about the statement made. One tip given in the article states that the leader of the group should ask the person to follow their negative comments with the word "but", making it harder for the pessimist to sound as negative. When the person has finished, offer constructive criticism and other solutions to the problem. If the negativity continues, one can offer what the author calls "collective wisdom" of the team by demonstrating positive behavior and using peer pressure to show the pessimist a more positive way in which to contribute.

Summary: A Chevrolet Camaro For the MBA Set

In the article "A Chevrolet Camaro For the MBA Set", the author explains how the newest version of the Camaro is loaded with horsepower and new found technology. Even with the car's 304 horsepower engine, it still gets 29 miles per gallon on the highway. GM even has plans to add on to the complexity of the new Camaro when it unveils an Executive Express edition, which will make the car look even more exquisite than it already does. The plans for the Executive Express edition are not set in stone, however it will be all black with possible touches of aluminum on the outside with a sleek, European vibe adorning the interior. Since it's release, the new version of the Camaro has been a success, flying out of dealerships all across the country. With the car industry currently in a downturn, GM will need the Camaro to be a big hit in order to provide hope for the future.

Summary: The Great Trust Offensive

In the article The Great Trust Offensive, the author explains how large of a factor trust has become in the world of branding. People have not only lost faith in banks, but in all business in the past few years. In fact, only 44% of all Americans say they trust business, a number that is down 12% from the fall of 2007. Trust in a company and its product is what consumers look for when making a purchase. Without consumer belief, business', such as McDonald's and Ford, have had to find new ways to reach people. McDonald's now uses money that was previously spent on advertising to focus on how it sources food. Meanwhile, Ford has completely made over their ads, now centering around themes, such as new technology and fuel economy. It seems to have worked well for both companies, with McDonald's improving the value of it's brand and overall image and consumers spending an average of $1,300 more on Ford models. Trust and reputation must once again become the focus of companies trying to succeed in today's difficult economic climate.

What I Want To Be

As one ponders what he or she wants to be when they grow older, it often differs from what they need to be or should be. One may not have the talent or skill to be what they want to be. A person also must take into consideration how they will support themselves not only in the present, but in the future as well. So this brings to question, what do I want to be when I graduate from Carthage College.
When I look into the future and see myself 30 years down the road, I would like to be many things. However, all of these things may not be exactly what I need. What I need is to be financially stable, have security within my job and be able to provide for myself and my family. The means by which I will accomplish these things is still to be determined and although I need to accomplish these goals, they are not always what I want.
What I want includes these goals and much, much more. I would love to have the flexibility to travel the globe and see places I have never seen before. I want to own a home on a beach in some tropical destination. To have a job where I would be able to balance work and still spend time with the people I love most would be a dream come true. Providing my family with a more than comfortable living would give me with extreme amounts of pride and satisfaction.
However, what I want is not always what I need and one must always contemplate this when trying to decide what they want to be when they grow up.