Strategic optimism & pessimism for leaders
French Revolution leadership, Realistic Optimism & how to get your teams mojo back
Photo by Hybrid on Unsplash
It’s tempting to think we’ve been here before. Twelve months ago, in the early hours of January 2021, excited messages started to appear, welcoming in what would surely be a better year. Arguably they were from the optimists amongst us.
Yet with the pandemic still raging on, the impact of Brexit continuing to challenge, we are not out of the woods.
It made me question whether applying optimism or a degree of pessimism is better for leaders to succeed. And as leader how much should you talk with your team about exciting opportunities and ambition during testing times?
Here are eight thought provokers to help you reflect on what your team and business needs from you and your leadership team.
Wise words: Employees look to leaders for many things. And arguably for a long time many world leaders have achieved success based on this sentiment.
How relevant is it for your leaders today?
Insight: Many preach about the power of positive thinking. The positive brain has been connected with increasing sales by 37%, increasing productivity by 31% and reducing negative effects of stress by 23%.
As we start a new year, many employees will feel hopeful; welcoming positivity and optimism. Others however may feel increasingly worried about what the year will bring. We often look to leaders to be visionary, to paint us pictures of a better future, and to help us believe that we can get there. Yet leaders who display too much optimism can be perceived as disconnected to the real world; and in the extreme, untruthful and dishonest about reality.
The challenge for leaders is that every employee responds to something different. What have you noticed the individuals in your team respond best to? What do they look to you for? Are there any assumptions to re-evaluate?
Spectrum: Countries, nationalities, companies, leaders and individuals all vary in their degree of optimism. I’ve been using this model with clients to identify where their natural preference is and explore how it impacts on the way they lead their business and team.
Where do you & your leadership team normally exist on this spectrum?
What advantage does it give your business & where does it put you at risk?
There may be areas of your business where you strategically need to exhibit more cautiousness, and areas where your leaders are looked to to inspire optimism. Do you know where they are? And have your leadership team collectively got it right?
Consider this: The place to be is often said to be Realistic Optimism; forward thinking optimism balanced with a grounding in realism. Dr Heidi Grant describes the difference between realistic optimism and un-realistic optimism in her wonderfully titled ‘How to be an optimist without being a fool’.
In practice: It’s good to start strong. If you find your team lacking in optimism and struggling to find enthusiasm, you can help them get fired up and ambitious for the year ahead even if you’re not feeling it yourself; there’s no fake optimism needed. Read how you can do it authentically here:
Reassurance: In these days, it’s natural to feel less than optimal. And showing vulnerability as a leader can help build connection with your team. I enjoyed this piece by Vasundhara Sawhney about how it’s OK to not be OK.
Inspiration: If you’re seeking a little more optimism, Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise may help you find it.
A final word. Perhaps on balance, the best sentiment for leaders is captured in the jovial opening song in 1970’s Mel Brooks film The Twelve Chairs. Hope for the best, expect the worst. What do you think?
Whatever your sentiment, I’m sure we unanimously hope that in 2022 things will be different. Getting the balance right in how you lead your business will be key. Here’s to a good one.
If need help understanding how to enhance your impact as a leader, send a quick note to me at rebecca@rebeccajjackson.com and I’ll help you figure it out.
Meantime, thanks for reading this. If you found it thought provoking, please share it with someone you know.
With thanks,
Rebecca