Counting our blessings during Thanksgiving often generates optimism and energy. Optimism, as it turns out, makes a difference in business metrics like productivity, customer satisfaction and profit. Why? Because optimistic people expect to succeed. When they encounter obstacles, they try harder – instead of giving up, they find ways to overcome the barriers and reach their objective.
Leaders who are optimistic raise the aspirations of their people to see what’s possible and to achieve their individual best. Fostering optimism enables employees to release their full potential, delivering coveted outcomes like increased engagement, initiative and teamwork. Look deeper and you discover 3 transformative revelations derived from optimistic leadership.
On the surface, the connection between leaders who are optimistic and results like productivity, job satisfaction and other positive workplace attributes is clear. Optimistic leaders nurture the belief that good things are possible when employees apply their strengths and skills to work that matters. Meaningful work positively impacts those who are the focus of these efforts – internal or external customers, management and employees. While many hard-to-control variables affect enjoyable, productive workplaces and higher job satisfaction, optimistic leaders can directly influence the emergence of three transformative revelations.
Vitality
Optimistic leaders generate hope that good things are possible. When the positive outcomes of that hope are manifested in the workplace, people feel grounded and fulfilled. That sense of being grounded and satisfied produces vitality.
Vitality is released energy. It is contagious within the organization, generating motivation and greater unification around common purpose, making it less likely that individuals will care only about their immediate, narrowly defined self-interest. Vitality stimulates innovation and problem-solving, enables opportunity discovery, and transforms failures into learning experiences.
Clarity
Optimism is reinforced by progress. When employees understand what is expected of them and why their work matters, progress helps them gain greater clarity about how their efforts contribute to the organization’s success. This heightened clarity validates their work, encourages improvement and provides reassurance. As a result, vitality is boosted and a sense of belonging is cultivated.
Community
Optimism builds community. A shared sense of belonging provides a powerful trust injection that bolsters a team’s sense of purpose. Just like the infectiousness of vitality, a heightened sense of belonging drives greater team engagement, productive teamwork and higher satisfaction. This in turn, promotes learning and the exploration of new ideas, which drive vitality.
How optimistic are the messages you deliver to your personnel?
How do your behaviors foster optimism within the organization?
