ATTITUDE

What behaviors make a good attitude are frequently discussed in a personality assessment. Often times people will use this word to describe a level of commitment of a person. Attitude, in this sense can also be described with words like commitment, audacity, dedication, discipline, focus and resilience.

But attitude, is actually more about what behaviors a person does not possess.

Someone with a diciplined attitude, cannot be pushed off an important task. A person with attitude cannot be swayed by flirtatious manipulation or a simple pleasure of just wanting the approval of a certain group of people, professional or personal.

A person with attitude cannot be bribed, or coerced. Attitude does not accept quid pro quo. Attitude doesn’t create data that supports results, it comes to results based on data. Attitude doesn’t compromise on critical values. It does not drift. It does not normalize deviations and workarounds.

Attitude, is the stone that’s left when you’ve chiseled away fear, and doubt. Attitude is measured less by actions, and more by purpose. It is a deep, deep sense of purpose. From seconds, hours, days and years of endless training, experiences and conditioning.

It is a change a person refuses to make for superficial, valueless reasons.

Attitude is often not achieved in a training session. But it can be described, facilitated and modeled.

Attitude is what is realized, sometimes, long after the fact. Often one must have a sense of Valor. Sacrificing short term gains for self, in favor of long term gains for others. This is not “Sean of the Dead” “greater good” or maybe it was “Hot Fuzz”.

When no one else will maintain the value system, it’s hard to hold the line. It’s like politics. Doesn’t matter what side of it you’re on, if you can’t deal with the boos and the hate speech and insults, don’t get into politics. This is the valorous part. But it’s objective and given only by your strongest advocates.

When you have few that believe that you will succeed, and you dig in deeper, that’s attitude.