Assume positive intent

By all accounts, the world will be watching with great interest, hope and admiration on Tuesday. Regardless of who one voted for, it sure seems the country is rooting for the new guy Mr. Obama. I know I am. An article in the NY Times tells the story...it states... In Oklahoma, where not a single county voted for Barack Obama, attitudes about his presidency are now softening.

It is amazing how certain events like a change of President can change the mood of an entire country (or world). Bush has an all time low approval rating and Obama has an all time high approval rating. The same problems exist, the only real change is one single man in a big White House, yet people like the idea of a change and are as hopeful as ever. I would argue that 1 man so far removed from all of us doesn't affect people down to an individual level very much...but the attitude sure can change.

The attitude towards Obama seems to be exactly what Indra Nooyi (the CEO of PepsiCo) learned from her father. "Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different. When you assume negative intent, you're angry. If you take away that anger and assume positive intent, you will be amazed." This different attitude really can change the interaction and outcomes with other people.