I’m not a pie in the sky kinda gal who lives in the glass half full world. My positivity is usually influenced by reality. I try my hardest, with intention, not to let doom and gloom predictions sabotage me. And it’s not easy these days!
When faced with a crisis (after acknowledging my feelings of anger and/or sadness when appropriate), my default is to look for lessons learned and potential opportunities. And that attitude has not only helped me in my career but has also become the cornerstone of my coaching practice.
What can we learn from our missteps and how can we best manage external factors beyond our control? There are lessons everywhere every day!
When we think about powerful leadership, we tend to focus on qualities like intelligence, courage, emotional intelligence, or strategic thinking, all of which are important. But one of the most overlooked drivers of leadership effectiveness is something far quieter—and far more powerful:
Optimism.
Not the “think positive” clichés.
Not the naïve dismissal of real issues.
Not the toxic positivity that pretends everything is fine.
Strategic optimism rooted in possibility, resourcefulness, and the belief that challenges are navigable and solutions exist—even if they aren’t obvious yet.
Leaders with this mindset show up differently. They think more expansively. They communicate more clearly. They navigate politics more effectively. They rebound more quickly. And they inspire others in ways that are deeply stabilizing during uncertainty.
In today’s fast, complex, politically charged workplaces, optimism is not a soft skill.
It is a critical leadership strategy.
Read the full article on Substack.com
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