Leadership Optimism and Pessimism

An optimist tends to look on the bright side of things; the pessimist does the reverse.

Research has shown that pessimists help balance optimists. Big dreams should be grounded by reality checks otherwise they can lead to disappointments.

It is so easy to seek the assurance of self-help gurus who preach and teach the tenets of positive thinking (attributed to the writings of the resilient and robust Dr Norman Cousins, and Norman Vincent Peale). Your positive energy can be your signature piece; personalities do matter. You can brand your aura and charisma, and that positions you as a leader. Build rapport, be liked, and you can make things happen.

Would you prefer to be surrounded by happy people? Do you make your purchases with retailers who treat you importantly? Do you read blogs that promote a promise and premise of positivity and possibility? What kind of mental films do you run in your head when you feel down? Do you focus more on then positive aspects of an issue, and determine the key learning points, or do you wallow in self pity, regret and remorse?

Bad news can hit us in ways unexpected. Even the most positive people can lose their spirit when their personal mantras lose their effectiveness. Personal crisis like disease can devastate the most tough-talking, chest-strutting, Type-A, dominant personality. When one’s life or livelihood is threatened towards termination, the mind does a flip-turn on its sense and sensibilities. Depression and suicidal tendencies may be unavoidable pathways available to those who experienced their emotional tipping point. Keep a lookout for such deviations from observed, normal behaviors.

As a leader, how do you stay level headed when conflict pervades your team? How do you remain optimistic and confident that you will resolve the complex dynamics of upset people? What do you convey to your people to bring out the relevance of each crisis?