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iQuestions Faculty, Ron Price 
 
 
Question: 
 
Our company culture is really negative. Is there anyway I can address 
this without offending my boss? 
 
Answer: 
 
If you find yourself in a culture that is filled with negativity and it 
makes you not want to come to work, here are some specific things 
you can think about where you can make a difference.  
 
There are three different levels of engagement that you have in your 
job. 
 
The first is those things that you control—the things you have 100% 
control over. And you can think about, “How can I take actions that I 
have 100% control over that will create more positive energy in this 
environment?” 
 
The second dimension is those areas that you have influence over. 
Now, you have a little bit of control but you have to get other people 
involved with you. It may be getting together and creating a positive 
conspiracy for how we’re going to start recognizing people for what 
they do right, instead of just the things they do wrong.  
 
This is the dimension of influence—how you can influence others to 
participate with you in turning to a more positive environment.  
 
The third dimension is what we call the “area of concern,” or the 
dimension of concern. These are things that you worry about, that 
bother you, but you really don’t have any control over.  
 
 
The truth of the matter is if you focus on that “area of concern,” you’re 
shrinking your control and your ability to influence. So forget about 
that, focus instead on the things you can control—the things you can 
influence. 
 
So as much as you might think that it’s all about other people—and it 
may be—begin by saying, “How can I plant positive seeds in this 
negative environment?”  
 
It’s a matter of being thankful; consciously thinking of ways to do acts 
of kindness for other people and putting other people ahead of you. 
These are things that you can control.  
 
“How can I influence other people?” Think about the others around you 
who seem to want to have a more positive environment, and start 
conspiring about how you can turn things more positive. Start thinking 
about what good things people are doing and recognizing that, and 
ways that you can help and support and serve other people.  
 
When you hear people complaining, ask them, “What could I do to 
help you? What could I do to turn that around?” instead of just 
participating in the negativity.  
 
Ultimately, if you can’t change things through your control and your 
influence, and it’s all about your “area of concern,” it’s time for you to 
talk to somebody who does have control and let them know that you 
have a hard time going to work in the morning because it’s so 
negative.  
 
If that doesn’t fix it, there’s probably a better place waiting for you to 
come to work. 
Price -2- 
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