As a leader, it’s important for you to stay optimistic—but also realistic. Watch Bobbie LaPorte’s January 16 “Calling the Game” video for some specific ideas on how you can help balance the fears and doubts many people on your team may be experiencing.
Using the Art of Measured Optimism to Help Your Team See Possibilities and Inspire Hope
Hi, this is Bobbie LaPorte, back with another week – and another year – of “Calling the Game.” In these videos, I share my own experience and insights while giving you valuable tools you can use to call your own game…and plan the best moves for you and your team.
As we’re all easing back into the new year, I want to continue looking at ways that leaders can overcome all-time low levels of engagement, hope, and optimism among the workforce.
Last week we talked about ways to foster regular, open communications with your team members – specifically in your 1:1 meetings.
This week let’s look at another approach: the importance of maintaining “measured” optimism during the months ahead.
I’m not talking about taking an “everything is great/Pollyannaish tone” here. You should never ignore the reality of the challenges in your company. What I am suggesting is that you maintain and share a realistic view of the possibilities ahead for your business and your team. That can go a long way toward balancing balance the fears and doubts that many might be experiencing.
Our brains are wired to protect ourselves, literally for survival from the earliest days of mankind. When we encounter threats to our existence, we tend to withdraw, hunker down, expect the worst, and hope for better.
You can help your team have a positive view of the future by acknowledging and building on the successes of the recent past. This gives them a view into what is possible in the months ahead.
One way to do this is to be more intentional about celebrating successes – large and small.
Sharing successes brings up everyone in the organization, at a time when they need it most.
And showing appreciation and gratitude for all the good that has happened activates the part of our brains responsible for creativity, problem-solving and inspiration – things we can all use a little more of right now.
OK, that’s it for this week’s “Calling the Game.” If you’d like even more guidance on this practice, you can watch the video from September 5, 2023, The Importance of Celebrating Successes in Your Work.
I hope this helps you and your team members build a little more certainty into the start of 2024!