How to Be Cautiously Optimistic with Your Team

According to The Mind of the CEO, Yale professor Jeffrey Garten found that having an “optimistic spirit” was a commonality among the world’s top 40 business executives. Radiating a positive mindset doesn’t require special training or a degree. It comes from within. It’s positive leadership that empowers individuals and carries a team to the finish line.

Reflect on how to be cautiously optimistic

Learning how to be cautiously optimistic is fundamental in developing and honing your leadership skills. Start by simply taking a moment to reflect.

What makes an optimist, optimistic?

Exercises to help you be cautiously optimistic

Now, it's time to put your reflection into action. Finding opportunities to implement your leadership skills can allow you to be cautiously optimistic.

• Express words of encouragement throughout the week. Consider: “I loved the way you organized your presentation!” or “Great callout during today’s meeting!”
• Connect with a teammate who's struggling with their confidence. Set up a 30-minute meeting once a week and help them strategize ways to be more positive and upbeat.
• Ask probing questions the next time something doesn’t work out for your team. Consider: “What did you learn from this experiment?” or "How would you do this differently next time?”