Category Archive: Optimism

A Premortem: Reverse Positive Thinking for Success

Do premortems. A postmortem is too late. Gary Klein introduced the idea of premortems. A premortem is reverse positive thinking. Instead of imagining success, imagine failure. What might go wrong: A year from now,… Continue reading

3 Ways to Overcome “That Won’t Work”

Naysayers are often right – especially when they’re roadblocks. “What works,” emerges AFTER you try. We have a delusional ability to believe we’re right when, in truth, we have nothing to support our… Continue reading

Paranoid Optimism – Courage to Shine a Light into the Darkness

Optimism doesn’t serve you well when it prevents you from acknowledging dark realities. We don’t need leaders spewing blind optimism. It’s better to name the challenge, craft a response, and take action. Successful… Continue reading

How to Think Negative and Still Succeed

Even Eeyore is right sometimes. Overly optimistic leaders: Minimize challenges. Fail to anticipate problems. Throw in the towel when it stays dark too long. Stockdale:  James Stockdale – former P.O.W. – told Jim… Continue reading

Take Control of Your Career or Someone Else Will

I’m doing something I’ve never done! This post is a transcribed comment from a Leadership Freak reader. Back in the mid 90s I worked at one of the larger Nuclear Power stations. I… Continue reading

The 7 Laws of Planning During Turbulence

A five-year plan is a fairy tale in turbulent environments. The best you can do in uncertainty and turbulence is set direction and improvise. Planning is making decisions ahead of time. Last year’s… Continue reading