Leadership Development -- The Power of Optimism

Posted by Julie Henry on Tue, Sep 15, 2009 @ 01:31 PM

delicious

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces,
I would still plant my apple tree.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

These inspirational words by Martin Luther King, Jr. epitomize what optimism stands for -- a positive life view and an unwavering belief that all is going to turn out well in the end.

Optimism is essential for all leaders who care about their personal leadership development. "Leaders are purveyors of hope. They paint a picture of tomorrow that is better than today,” says Gregg Thompson, President of Bluepoint Leadership Development, "...and hope is one of the most powerful elements of leadership."

Successful leaders know that optimism is non-negotiable says Gregg. In fact, in his new book, The Power To Lead, Gregg identifies optimism as one of the hallmarks of a great leader. “Optimism drives us to action,” says Gregg, “and sets a tone of hope, vitality, and inspiration for others and for you. And there is no doubt that optimism gives one a competitive advantage. When you have an optimistic outlook about your ability to succeed, no matter what goes on around you, you end up at a vantage point.”

Gregg Thompson says that optimism also enables one to rebound from setbacks faster. Especially now, in an atmosphere of continuous change and unpredictability, optimistic leaders stay buoyant. They know that “doing otherwise would be self-sabotage.”

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Leadership Development -- The Power of Optimism

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