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Working with very pessimistic teammates is tough on morale. It’s also tough to produce results with these naysayers as their drag slows the team’s momentum. Pessimistic teammates are not the same as skeptical team members.

Skeptical teammates have concerns about certain aspects of a project or idea. They ask probing questions to move things forward with a greater chance of success. Pessimistic teammates believe nothing will work. They are the constant naysayers and complainers. Yet, leaders and teammates can move them forward with some thought-provoking questions.

Key Questions to Create Teamwork w/ Pessimistic Teammates. Image by Ben Tesch via Flickr Creative Commons License.

Image by Ben Tesch via Flickr Creative Commons License.

Thought-Provoking Questions to Ask Pessimistic Teammates

You get frustrated with pessimistic teammates who rarely have anything positive to offer. Moreover, they often tear down your positive ideas and the team’s momentum. Well, the good news is you are not helpless in this moment. Ask them these thought-provoking questions. Over time, it can change their outlook.

1. What is one thing you would like to see changed? Notice here that the question doesn’t ask them to change something. It asks them what they don’t like (which they can easily answer). Then, you can discuss how to get there.

2. What do we have to lose by trying? They may initially say, then why bother. But you can then say, “because we have a chance at gaining a lot.”

3. If we move ahead with this, what happens to us? This question often uncovers the fears of pessimistic teammates. You can then address these specific concerns.

Buddy-Up

4. What if we share the load and the credit? If nothing else, we will learn together. This buddy approach can move pessimistic teammates forward. Sometimes they see what’s possible with and through others.

5. How do you feel when things change? If you are doing a team building event, this question helps all team members share how difficult change is. When pessimistic teammates see that most team members find change difficult, they sometimes learn how to move through it instead of resisting it.

I Challenge You to Stay Positive w/ Pessimistic Teammates

So now I ask you, why not ask these questions of pessimistic teammates? You have nothing to lose in doing it and everything to gain. It may take time for them to be more positive. However, instead of getting frustrated with them, realize that your efforts will succeed over time. In the meantime, you and your positive teammates will continue to enjoy each other’s energy, ideas, and mutual success!

From my professional experience to your success,
Kate Nasser, The People Skills Coach™

Related Post:
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Chronic Complainers: Ways to Ignite Their Contributions

©2021 Kate Nasser, CAS, Inc. Somerville, NJ. I appreciate your sharing the link to this post on your social streams. However, if you want to re-post or republish the content of this post, please email info@katenasser.com for permission and guidelines. Thank you for respecting intellectual capital.

Kate Nasser, The People Skills Coach™, delivers coaching, consulting, training, and keynotes on leading change, employee engagement, teamwork, and delivering the ultimate customer service. She turns interaction obstacles into interpersonal success. See this site for workshop outlines, keynote footage, and customer results.

Tags: attitude, can do, communication, fears, frustration, inspiration, listening, negative, optimism, people skills, pessimism, pessimistic, protection, questions, team building, teammates, Teamwork