If you put aside how frustratingly complex and nuanced most things in life are, you\u2019ll find that the difference between those two people in a business environment is huge because you have to stick with one of them. That\u2019s why I consider optimism as a basis for a healthy company. Maximize everything that you have in your own court, otherwise, you will have a problem if the key employees aren\u2019t optimistic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Optimism starts at the top of the pyramid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Having a company is quite like being single: there\u2019s (almost) always someone sexier, flashier, with a better idea and\/or better execution than you. You become old news real quick because there is a finite amount of time where you can maintain the high level of sexiness and coolness of having a winning idea and delivering on its promise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Benedict](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/xJU8G2sXf0rEIH1KrAB03b-u90joJPNYYvb1c48Vykgbxbqler905TU17oRwsxYpN5X09sOgaRqbmvWz76vS6Mraq8MuVxs2fOX5LC6SFRY6jADTHPl6QfpgWiS2DYGnAQ\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAppreciate what you have. One of the easiest actions is to focus on finding the things you hate in other people. It\u2019s a never-ending downward spiral that\u2019s hard to get out of. There doesn’t even have to be any maliciousness behind it – just naivete of having the responsibility for employees and answering to a board of investors the \u201cright\u201d way. Losing proper focus is a significant contributor to failure, one many realize only at the end of the company\u2019s short-lived experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The structure you set is important. Everybody, especially those whose roles have the most impact, has to be \u201cin the zone\u201d. You have to prioritize loyalty over talent<\/a> (as their state of mind likely won\u2019t be the same as yours ) and partners and employees who are not impulsive<\/a> (because those are just an enormous pain in the ass all around) – all of which stems from a healthy dose of optimism that acts as a foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the boundaries between work and private life blur more and more (particularly as companies \u201cdiscover\u201d the benefits of remote working), the workplace becomes a second family. And just like in a family where parents direct their children\u2019s development and interests, the feed in a company comes from the top down. It’s the way you communicate and it doesn’t matter how much you try to hide it or how transparent (or not) you are – people can see it in your eyes and feel your energy (or lack thereof). <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s the same reason why fathers across the globe rarely cry in front of their kids or why mothers always put on a brave face, no matter what. They are projecting a sense of security and don\u2019t want to show any weakness. Whether those are misconceptions and dangerously outdated views is a topic of its own. Like children, workers have to be capable, and passing off your problems to them isn’t a solution. It\u2019s the other way around: instilling optimism about how to approach problems and the day-to-day challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People need to be motivated and driven by the company\u2019s goals rather than their own. I rewatched \u2018The Last Dance\u2019 last night and quite a few moments stuck with me (the entire series is a treasure trove of quotable bits of inspiration), including one when Michael Jordan (aka. the GOAT) produces this gem: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy would I think about missing a shot I haven’t taken?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like a lot of players, leaders tend to think about failure and obsess with it, up to the point where they become afraid to take chances. If Michael Jordan was thinking all the time how bad things were going to be instead of thinking of the moment and how good it would be, he\u2019d be nowhere near greatness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So how can you promote optimism?<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few fairly basic communication things that, if you master them, can really help with instilling an optimistic mindset:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the words of the immortal Monty Python troupe – always look on the bright side of life. Business, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/benedict-cumberbatch-wink-b44FwP4st6v3G\n Maximize everything that you have in your own court, otherwise, you will have a problem if the key employees aren\u2019t optimistic. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1720,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[24],"tags":[10],"yoast_head":"\nCraft a narrative to implant optimism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Sad](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/bBDSoeHJcqw48WkKybzfABAWmpLJ2D4m-Vok124qlxTRCbnfRNH0ZNLlvU591vHpat9UtgSlL_P_mYjrswoyXwbq46ZCA-BKbqlmPTUGwc3U8iALl-HASvkMULlPj6NLDA\")
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https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/justin-crying-im-out-michael-jordon-26FPzgftlRfgwkEw0\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"