Optimism

This half-full glass of water is quite refreshing

Sometimes it’s hard to see the good in a situation.

But when you are feeling discouraged or pessimistic, don’t firehose your team with that negativity. You can set the tone.

Your people will be demotivated by: “Well, this sucks.”

Your people will respond better to: “We’re going to get through this.”

Don’t be unrealistic. Acknowledge the challenges and problems. Respect people’s right to be disappointed, including your own right to be disappointed. But put the focus on making things better, not wallowing in misery or placing blame.

It’s easy to be in charge when things are going well. The true test of leaders happens when the (bleep) hits the fan. Channel your inner Churchill. Channel your inner King. Channel your inner Gandhi. They all realistically acknowledged the reality they faced. They all were human and imperfect. But they all were able to give their people hope and courage through their words, their actions, and their examples.

Figure out what “better” would look like, and then show your people the path to it.

(Photo by Nolan Simmons on Unsplash)