Category Archive: pessimism

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

You Might be Right – the Glass is Half Empty – Now What

A friend texted, “I think of myself as more of a doomsday preparer.” I texted back, “Ahh! The advantage of pessimism is preparation.” Are there more? Pessimism is, “An inclination to emphasize adverse… Continue reading

7 Ways to Maximize Talented Naysayers

It offends me when “good” ideas are resisted and rejected. Anyone who explains what won’t work before considering how it might work is a resistant, naysaying, uncommitted footdragger. But what if the opposite… Continue reading

How Negative Thinking Creates Positive Solutions

Shooting down ideas is sport to corporate teams. What happens when new ideas come before teams? People explain why they won’t work! Don’t you hate people who explain why something won’t work? I’ve… Continue reading

How to Turn From Destructive to Constructive Dissatisfaction

You won’t make a difference if you’re easily satisfied. Yesterday I wrote, “Chronic dissatisfaction contaminates environments and teams.” Pete asks, “… what if I am the one who is chronically dissatisfied? What’s the… Continue reading