4 Soft Skills for the Workplace Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Positive Attitude Professionals exhibit a positive attitude in their job performance and workplace interactions. Optimism is the expectation that things will turn out well. Attitude is how personal thoughts or feelings affect a person’s outward behavior. It is a com- bination of how you feel, what you think, and what you do. Attitude is how an indi- vidual sees himself or herself, as well as how he or she perceives others. Individuals with a positive attitude are optimistic and look at the upside of a sit- uation rather than the downside. Optimism enables them to look at the big picture, identify what can be changed, recognize what cannot be changed, and make good decisions. Optimists learn from experiences, accurately identify problems, and try to offer solutions, rather than complaints. Optimistic people are proactive and learn from their mistakes. Attitude influences the way a person performs in a job situation. People with a positive attitude generally are successful in their work life. Positive people are enthu- siastic and show interest in their jobs and the activities in which they participate. Professionalism For years, journalist Matt Lauer developed a well-crafted, professional image. His image projected honesty, integrity, and the ability to communicate complex stories and issues in a way that was understandable and engaging for the average person. His image also projected likability during broadcasts, as well as in appearances outside of the news industry. But, in 2017, his reputation suffered a major blow when a colleague accused him of “inappropriate sexual behavior.” NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said the network received “a detailed” complaint about Lauer. “It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.” Ultimately, Lauer apologized for his actions, but apologies were not enough to repair a damaged professional image. 1. Summarize what you perceive Lauer’s professional image is today. 2. Discuss other repercussions, in addition to losing employment, that Lauer may have suffered due to his inappropriate behavior. 3. In your opinion, can Lauer ever recover from this ordeal? State your answer and justify your reasoning. 4. Identify another well-known person who has a tarnished professional image because of an unprofessional incident. Summarize the incident, its repercussions, and what the person did to attempt to repair a tarnished reputation. Case Study JStone/Shutterstock.com