Prisoner, what makes you Optimistic?
Victor Perton

Prisoner, what makes you Optimistic?

By Victor Perton

“How do you feel?”

“I feel really good. It’s a tingly feeling all over.”

It was an instinctive reaction by a prison inmate after answering the question from a fellow inmate “What makes you Optimistic?” The inmates were experimenting with spreading that question to the rest of the prison.

I had the immense privilege of joining Dhurringile Prison inmates in their excellent Life Skills Program run by Jennifer Hippisley. We ran the 90-minute “The Optimistic Leader" program I had developed for corporates, conferences, schools and NGOs.

We learned a lot from each other. It’s a question most people have never been asked: “What makes you Optimistic?”

Why ask the question?

It was the Eureka moment I experienced during the Australian Leadership Project trying to understand why in the midst of plenty, the best country in the world had become inexplicably negative.

Over a thousand interviews done. It was clear, the qualities of a good Australian leader are:

  • Egalitarianism - treat the cleaner with the same respect as the chairman;
  • Self-Effacing humour - laugh at yourself, don’t take life too seriously; and,
  • No bullshit plain speaking.

There’s no shortage of good Australian leaders. The rest of the world thinks we are marvellous. Why are we so lacking in confidence in our leadership and our leaders?

It’s pessimism. For some reason, the happy-go-lucky she’ll-be-right Australian has become a pessimist.

Speaking for the rest of the world, the Icelandic singer Bjork said, “If optimism ever was like an emergency, it’s now"

There have been several international studies which show that Australian optimism has dropped to a very low level. The researchers can’t understand it. Normally, good living standards, happiness and economic growth are accompanied by high levels of optimism. Australia is an exception.

Why? We don’t think about optimism and gratitude enough. Even though the evidence says optimism is at the core of great leadership, there is no Australian who has been asked about their optimism in a job interview.

"What makes you optimistic?" is a question backed by the science underpinning positive psychology and appreciative inquiry. I had arrived at the question as the logical next question in the Australian Leadership Project.

So, I have made it my job to help people think about it.

Since last October, I have been asking people around the world, on the street, in elevators and down smokers-laneways “What makes you optimistic?” The answers have been incorporated in my book “The Case for Optimism: The Optimists’ Voices” now in the library at Dhurringile Prison.


Fear v Optimism

So, back to Jennifer’ Hippisley’s Life Skills Programs. The inmates, Jennifer and I went around the circle asking that question, "What makes you optimistic?"

There was immense wisdom from the participants: These men have time to think. Some of the answers and insights were better than you would expect from a professor of philosophy or psychology.

The powerful wisdom from a former criminal-syndicate leader told us that in the criminal world, power is usually derived from fear rather than optimism.  His future plan includes becoming a leader post-prison in a non-criminal business and he believes he will need to draw people to him through optimistic leadership.

What can you do in prison?

As the Indian leader, Gandhi advised, the only person you can change is yourself.

Change your language.

If asked, “How are you?” don’t answer, “not too bad” - try “good” or something even more upbeat.

Don’t ask, “how was your day?” Ask “what was the best thing in your day?”

Remember to be grateful for what you’ve got. Try some meditation. Try some yoga.

As we concluded the workshop, we thought about a project. Could we collect the optimism of the rest of the community in Dhurringile? Could we create an optimism movement in prison?

So, if one of your mates, asks you “what makes you optimistic,” please share your reasons for optimism with them!

Why don’t you ask someone else, what makes you optimistic?

You will be surprised at how good the person questioned feels in answering that question. You will be surprised at how good it makes you feel.

For me, it’s a joy every day.

My friends at Dhurringile, thank you for teaching me even more about the case for optimism. 

(Postscript: The Prisoners have invited me back to listen to the fruits of their project and research on optimism in prison)

Further Reading:

Gary W Moore: Positively speaking: Treat optimism as a calling

Cameron Price on "What Makes you Optimistic"



Jennifer Hippisley

Independent Contractor at Jennifer Hippisley

5y

Great summary Victor and thank you for your marvellous support in this important work in the prison. Through word of mouth of prisoners and previous participants we have full classes for most of the 2019 year! What amazing feedback we have had, with many talking about a change in their thinking and approach to life - true paradigm shifts that are both rewarding and humbling to see. It makes our work so important and worthwhile!

Joseph Ghaly

Business Advisory l Wealth Advisory l World Economic Forum

6y

Brilliant Victor. Wishing a a fine man a very happy birthday today. Cheers, Joe

Lane Glenn

President of Northern Essex Community College

6y

Another fabulous project, Victor, brimming with humanity!  Thanks for holding the optimistic torch up high.

Christina Gerakiteys GAICD

Innovation Strategist | International Keynote Speaker | Author | Non-Executive Director | Entrepreneur | SingularityU Expert | Futurist | Advisor WAVIA | Advisor 1 Million Women | Advisory Board WStartUpC | Mentor Walks

6y

Wonderful read - we are all equal on the day we are born and the day we die!

Melissa Griffiths

Ambassador for Flutterbys UK. Transgender Authority. Celebrity. Global speaker. MC/Mistress of ceremonies. Media Commentator. Author. Journalist. Diversity and Inclusion consultant.

6y

Victor you are amazing 😉. Keep up the good work.

Like
Reply

To view or add a comment, sign in

More articles by Victor Perton

Insights from the community

Others also viewed

Explore topics