The Business Bulletin
Realistic optimism Are you a glass is half empty or a glass half full type of person?
The answer to this question is to help
the ones who said we were going to
you understand whether we are
be out by Christmas. And then they’d
generally optimistic in our outlook or
say, ‘we’re going to be out by Easter.’
more pessimistic. Which would you
And Easter would come, and Easter
say you are? I would say that I am
would go. And then Thanksgiving, and
generally an optimist. I try and look
then it would be Christmas again.’ And
for the positive and the opportunity in
they died of a broken heart.”
most situations. You may be similar. Being optimistic is helpful for the most part. However, there is a caveat to this. You cannot be optimistic without being realistic.
In your present circumstances, you walk the knife edge of knowing that this crisis will pass and dealing with the everyday reality of wading through a fast-changing and challenging
As a team or organisation leader,
situation. It is not wrong to talk about
or a business owner, it is important to
getting through the crisis. At the same
realise what your general tendency is
time as you lead others through it is
in this regard, because depending on
important to acknowledge that it is
what your situation is will dictate how
challenging and difficult.
you orientate your optimism. In other words, optimism is generally helpful. However if you don’t take account of the facts of your situation then the optimism will not be helpful, it will be harmful. To illustrate this, I have included a quote from Admiral James
Mark Billage
Smart Culture Over the past 25 plus years, in different leadership roles, Mark has worked in different sectors, from financial services to charity and people development. He has set up businesses, served on Boards of Trustees, and led a medium-sized charity as their CEO. As the founder of Smart Culture Ltd, he provides quality training and coaching to leaders and their teams. Mark wants to help leaders to be more effective in their leadership. This transforms team culture, and relationships around them, so all can bring their best contribution in a safe environment. 07791 755990
Remaining authentic demonstrates
mark@smartculture.uk
to those that you lead, that you haven’t
www.smartculture.uk
got your head in the clouds and lets them know that whilst things are challenging, we can take steps that position us to weather the storm. That
may be.” – Admiral James Stockdale. It is important that we set goals
includes our own mental resilience.
that spur us on towards a better
How do you act as leaders so that you
future. The skill is setting these in a
keep your heads up and maintain
way where it is not overwhelming for
your authenticity at the same time?
the team. Whatever “mountain” you
“You must never confuse faith that
are looking to scale, you need to make
you will prevail in the end… with the
a clear assessment, or as Admiral
make it out?’ And he said, ‘Oh, that’s
discipline to confront the brutal facts
Stockdale put it, acknowledge the
easy. It was the optimists. […] They were
of your current reality, whatever they
brutal facts of your current reality.
Stockdale who was held as prisoner of war in Vietnam for eight years. This is an extract of a conversation he had with Jim Collins in his book “Good to Great.” “I asked Stockdale: ‘Who didn’t
24 | Issue 8 – Strategy and Personal Development
