Life in Organizations LO9515

GSCHERL (GSCHERL@fed.ism.ca)
Tue, 27 Aug 96 10:39:46 EST

Replying to LO9476 --

Benjamin Compton replies:

> The American colonists certainly didn't solve their problems through
> PMA; in fact , the colonists became so aggravated that they went to
> war. The positive attitude came out through their belief in their
> own ideas, and their ability to create a form of
> government unsurpassed in the chronicles of history.

PMA doesn't solve problems. PMA does let you stay positive about the
future. Without PMA, without hope, without belief that things can be
better, that things can change and improve, no one will take the steps
necessary to effect change. PMA alone does little...PMA linked with
knowledge, a continuous ability to learn and absorb, a vision for a
better future, and action can create the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, and
new countries.

> Today there are many corporations that take advantage of people,
> treat people as something less than human, and who embrace a
> philosophy that implicitly states that the employees are less
> intelligent than their managers, and therefore must be told
> what to do.

There are also governments that lock people away for their viewpoints,
kill people, make war and committ other attrocities. Their policy
states worst things.

Consider the opposite of a Positive Mental Attitude. What will that
solve? How will feeling that things will get worse make things
better? If every person starts taking responsibility for their own
lives, and recognizes that their attitude is a key ingredient to
change, then we can change the corporate or government policies and
philosophies...what is the alternative for most employees?

A Positive Mental Attitude is only one ingredient. Alone it will do
nothing.

> There are times when we must be "negative" if we are to effect
> constructive change.

I'd like to understand what you mean that being negative can
accomplish positive and constructive results?


Gary Scherling
Helping people help themselves

-- 

GSCHERL@fed.ism.ca (GSCHERL)

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