The Plague Of The Pessimist Leader: 8 Tips To Make You More Optimistic Today

There is an abundance of research that indicates optimists experience better health, reduced stress and are more successful in life. Optimists tend to live longer, make more money and have better marriages. Recently, my colleague Jack Zenger and I looked at 200 managers who were assessed on their level of optimism. What we found was an extremely strong correlation between a leader’s perceived optimism and their effectiveness as a leader. The most pessimistic leaders were rated at the 19th percentile while the most optimistic leaders were rated at the 89th percentile.

We examined data from two different studies with over 625 leaders to understand what behaviors leaders demonstrated that helped them to be viewed as more optimistic. Leaders who more effectively demonstrated these particular behaviors were view as more optimistic. In our view, these behaviors are some of the keys to optimism.

1. Make mistakes momentary. Optimists treat failures of team members as temporary setbacks from which they can quickly recover. They avoid any inference that one mistake will permanently crush a team member’s career.

2. Seek to find solutions rather than place blame. Leaders who pointed fingers and blamed others for failures were perceived as more pessimistic. Leaders who either accepted the blame or simply focused on moving forward we viewed as optimists.

3. Accentuate the positive. Optimists begin staff meetings with a review of successes and positive news and take the time to celebrate. They also discuss the problems and challenges employees collectively face. People usually assume that what’s first on the agenda is what is most important to the leader.

4. Value different perspectives. Leaders who valued people from different backgrounds or who had unique perspectives were seen as optimists. They look for the value and insights that different perspectives can bring to solving a problem. They understand that simply because a person values a unique perspective does not necessarily mean that they will accept it as the only solution, but, oftentimes understanding other perspective help to generate a better overall solution to a problem.

5. Emphasize long term goals. Optimists keep a longer-term focus on strategic goals, team objectives, and individual achievements. Most people find it easier to endure short-term difficulties if they can see the desired future state. Great leaders continually remind team members of the long term view and vision. Keeping that goal in mind helps team members keep the hard work today in perspective.

6. Push and pull. Pessimists tend to push team members to accomplish work. Optimists push but also pull. They drive hard for results and inspire and motivate others. They tend to be enthusiastic and turn hard work into fun.

7. Be open to negative feedback and criticism. Pessimists don’t want any feedback and tend to avoid asking others for feedback. Optimists invite criticism and allow people to share their frustrations. Optimists listen and learn.

8. Give honest feedback in a constructive way. Because optimists understand the value of feedback for themselves they also understand the value of feedback for others. They provide feedback not to blame or criticize but the build and help others develop. Leaders who feel their pessimism motivates employees to work harder will find it very hard to reach difficult goals. The workplace already has too many cynics and doubters. Leaders need to create a hopeful environment that inspires employees to do the impossible. These eight behaviors will change your work environment and help others see you as a more optimistic leader.

As a leadership challenge, I suggest you identify one or two traits that could help you most in your current situation and create a plan for improvement. Then, as the French would put it so aptly, “Joie de vivre!”