The Power of Positivity: A Staff Highlight

You may have seen him around working with our youth or snapping a picture at a CHGW event. Sesay Yalan is the Career Pathways Specialist and Job Retention Specialist here at Covenant House Greater Washington. He’s always willing to jump in, fill in the gaps, and be of support to our youth and total CHGW team.

We’re taking a moment to express our gratitude for the hard work and dedication that he’s shown toward every youth that comes through the door, every project that he contributes to, and for being a team player. Above all, Yalan is known around CHGW for his steadfast upbeat, and positive attitude. He’s been truly outstanding and continues to make a significant impact on our team and the success of our total organization.

We’re highlighting Yalan for exemplifying the character of positivity. Sesay consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, and his contributions to our organization continue to create the ideal environment that fosters #RelentlessSupport.

Let’s talk about positivity. Here are some reasons why a positive attitude is important:

1. Improved Mental Health: A positive attitude can lead to improved mental health, including reduced stress and anxiety levels, greater resilience, and improved emotional well-being.
2. Increased Motivation: A positive attitude can increase motivation and drive, allowing individuals to tackle challenges and pursue their goals with enthusiasm and optimism.
3. Enhanced Relationships: A positive attitude can improve relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, as it promotes a more optimistic and supportive approach to interactions with others.
4. Better Problem-Solving: A positive attitude can help individuals to approach problems and challenges with a more creative and open-minded perspective, leading to better problem-solving skills and outcomes.
5. Greater Success: A positive attitude can increase the likelihood of success in personal and professional pursuits, as individuals with a positive outlook are more likely to persevere and bounce back from setbacks.
6. Improved Physical Health: Positive attitudes have been linked to improved physical health, including lower risk of heart disease, increased longevity, and better immune function

In the workplace, with fellow team members, and the CHGW youth that we serve. Here’s the power of positivity:

1. Increased Productivity: A positive attitude can lead to increased productivity, as it promotes a more focused and motivated approach to work tasks.
2. Improved Relationships: A positive attitude can improve relationships with coworkers, clients, and customers, as it fosters a more empathetic and supportive approach to interactions with others.
3. Better Problem-Solving: A positive attitude can help employees to approach problems and challenges with a more creative and open-minded perspective, leading to better problem-solving skills and outcomes.
4. Greater Resilience: A positive attitude can increase resilience and the ability to handle stress, leading to greater job satisfaction and decreased risk of burnout.
5. Enhanced Leadership: A positive attitude can enhance leadership skills, as it promotes a more optimistic and supportive approach to managing teams and resolving conflicts.
6. Improved Creativity: A positive attitude can increase creativity and innovation, as it fosters a more open-minded and exploratory approach to work tasks and projects.

Overall, maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace can have many benefits for both individuals and organizations. By fostering a more positive and supportive workplace culture, we can promote productivity, job satisfaction, and overall success for everyone.

Offering educational programs, job readiness training, and vocational skills development to help youth gain the confidence and skills needed to secure and maintain employment is not an easy feat. The objective requires more than technical skills but a draw on the emotional endurance and passioned dedication of our staff. CHGW staff always aspire to show that it is possible to overcome adversity and build a better life, even in the face of immense challenges.

We are grateful for the time and effort of every staff and/or volunteer that has put positive energy toward our impact. Your dedication to excellence is an inspiration to us all.

Thank you, Yalan. May you continue to grow professionally and in personal endeavors.

*Originally published on the Covenant House Greater Washington website