Category Archive: Optimism

3 Unexpected Interventions that Changed the World

Ted Geisel crossed the Atlantic on stormy seas in the Fall of 1935. It was eight days of agonizing monotony. He sat at the bar for hours, the rhythmic thumping of the ship’s… Continue reading

7 Ways to Avoid the Pitfalls of Optimism

There’s a dark side to Oz. The wizard is a fraud. Optimism doesn’t cure every ailment. It causes some. An optimistic novice is like an idiot with a box of fireworks standing by… Continue reading

10 Sure Signs There’s Trouble Ahead

Optimism is a surprising disappointment when you imagine a hungry lion wants to play. Skillful leaders anticipate trouble. Short-sighted leaders press forward and suffer. Anticipating potential problems isn’t pessimism until it’s an excuse… Continue reading

3 Steps to Face Daily Challenges with Fresh Enthusiasm

Rituals bring control in the storm. The storm won’t change, but how you respond does. During a recent coaching call, a client relayed a ritual he uses before showing up at work. How… Continue reading

The Gift of Negativity: What We Gain By Faultfinding, Nitpicking, and Naysaying

Painful experiences teach you to protect yourself. The tools of self-protection are faultfinding, nitpicking, naysaying, and quibbling. Experience gives birth to protective negativity. The birth of negativity: “If a cat sits on a… Continue reading

5 Ways to Lead like the Blue Footed Booby

The first Bishop of Panama, Tomas de Berlanga, discovered the Galapagos Islands in 1535 by accident. He was on his way to Peru, but currents carried the ship to the home of the… Continue reading