Covered in Sunshine

Happy Thursday Folks!

My musical string of influence in my articles is back and I’m happy about that! Thank you P!NK - this was is a classic I will keep coming back to.

I’ve been doing some light reading lately regarding a topic I received training on amongst other colleagues during my time at McKinsey and it’s so fulfilling to know that it was worthwhile not just for the moment professionally, but also in the long term both personally and professionally…It’s known as Positive Reframing or today better known as Cognitive Reframing.

I’ll take a step back and define the term so that if it interests you, you’ll read further and better yet start doing your own digging and making your own lists!?

“Positive reframing involves focusing on ways that a stressor may actually be positive or beneficial.” - National Centre for Biotechnology Information, 2021 May.

“Positive Reframe? is a positive shift in perception.It does not mean you are always positive and that you should avoid all things negative. We can learn to be positive about being negative by embracing negative thoughts, experiences etc. to discover their value in our lives.” - Positivereframe.org

My own personal twist to this concept has been, in a professional context, to try and positively reframe characteristics as needed and after much thought. Case in point, I may have previously frustrated during brainstorming sessions at team members that didn’t seem as contributive - why were they so quiet? Instead I should have told myself, they are thoughtful and reflective; when ready or when prompted they will definitely share their input.?

While I do understand context matters and the conclusion we come to on how to reframe does not always turn out positive, what I do love about the concept is it gives us time to pause and reflect before putting a stamp on characteristics. Some examples:

• Demanding = Assertive, or direct (a trait renowned to be present in many leaders of the world and organisations).
• Stubborn = Persistent, Determined (a trait we call grit and actively look for in many candidates in the startup space).
• Sensitive = Intuitive, aware of feelings, cares deeply (personally I’d prefer for Talent leaders to possess this, because humanity in the workplace matters too)!

Let's take a positive reframing angle on lived experiences at work.

• Overworked = Possibly entrusted by your managers with key tasks or finally an opportunity for you to push back for fairer work distribution. Strong communications skills are valuable as a professional are they not?
• Underworked = An opportunity to take on more tasks at work voluntarily (even office contribution such as organising events), or outside of work. That hobby you wanted to pick up, that learning program, that business venture…Now could be the time.
• My client jumped ship = Finally some time to do some deliberate pipeline mapping for clients I would love to engage!

The beauty about reframing is it helps you from dwelling on the why or how of the negativity we have. Lemons to lemonade is as simply as I can put it!

Let’s note more importantly that, reframing isn't about ignoring the unfortunate, it's about accepting them while discovering a new perspective—one that highlights new learning opportunities, positive outcomes, and HOPE.

My challenge to you over the next few days:

1. LIST down a list all the negative things you come across - characteristics in those around you, work experiences, personal experiences too.
2. In your downtime, once you’re more at peace…. REFRAME

Stay postiviely reframed ???