Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitudes and actions.” – Harold Geneen, Chairman, ITT Corp.

          I have never directly discussed the role of attitude in the more than 500 SOUNDManagement tips I have written. That’s because it is so painfully obvious that the phrase, “positive attitude” has almost become cliché.
          Sitting on the plane on my way back to Lagoon City last week, I was pondering what creates my most successful clients, in an effort to replicate those successes.
          Is it the amount of time I dedicate to them? Certain concepts, ideas or programs we initiate? Or is it systems, procedures or discipline? Do external factors, ratings or other market conditions play an over-whelming role in success or failure?
          I would like to tell you that I concluded it is ENS Media Inc.’s consulting and training that was the single most powerful contributor to my clients’ success, but that’s not magic the answer either.
          I have studied enough success cases that I can state unequivocally that the single largest contributing factor to any of my clients’ successes is positive mental attitude.
          I have always taken pride in being a glass-half-full kind of guy, but even I was shocked to re-discover the over-powering role that attitude plays in the success of my clients.
          All of the other things I do as a consultant, from achieving buy-in, to implementing training, and from introducing systems to having more fun on the job, only happen if my clients consistently encourage positive attitudes from their staffs.
          I sincerely hope I have not bored you by stating this obvious and common observation, but it has made such an overwhelming contribution to my clients’ successes that I felt compelled to remind you about the power of positive thinking. (After all, who knows better than us that repetition sells!)
          We know about this powerful phenomenon, but in the face of increased competition, you need a plan that helps you to focus on the positives every day. I’m going to suggest that you mark four things to do in your palm-pilot or day-timer every day;
1. Uncover and promote a positive about your company.
2. Uncover and utilize a positive about yourself.
3. Uncover and promote a positive about your market. 
4. Uncover and promote a positive about your staff or peers.
         Henry Ford probably said it best when he said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right!”