Category Archive: pessimism

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

7 Truths about Chronic Complainers Every Leader Needs Today

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do.” Dale Carnegie Chronic complainers: Seek validation. Constant complaining is a plea for attention. Feel powerless. Complainers see themselves as weak and… 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

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

7 Universal Principles that Explain the Persistent Problems of Leadership

7 universal principles: #1. If you’re persistently exhausted, you’re doing too many things. Reflections for exhausted leaders: What needs to be true for you to rest? What time will you stop working today?… Continue reading

How to Escape Toxic Dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction grows in the gap between aspiration and reality. Dissatisfaction that lingers in the gap between aspiration and reality defeats aspiration. You begin to think, “Why try?” Dissatisfaction is boredom with sameness. Dissatisfaction… Continue reading