In a thought-provoking interview, Sonos founder John Macfarland said, "As a leader, you want to choose optimism." These words struck a chord with me.

 If I'm honest, my instinct has of late been to first see the pitfalls rather than the peaks, to rush towards critiquing instead of celebrating achievements. This realization led me to confront a question:

Have I become the embodiment of the cynical old boss I vowed never to emulate?

Early in my career, I encountered seasoned leaders who would quip, "You think you can do this because you don't know any better," or the ever-discouraging, "Life hasn't beaten you up enough yet."

I pledged then not to join the ranks of the 'cold water committee,' a group all too eager to douse the flames of innovative ideas with their well-rehearsed skepticism.

With the passage of time and the inevitable bruises life has dealt to my aspirations, I find myself wrestling with cynicism. It's a shadow that looms, threatening to pull me into the abyss of negativity—a place I've committed to avoid.
However, this isn't a battle fought in vain.

To fortify myself against the onslaught of pessimism, I've developed a set of habits that anchor me to the shores of optimism:

1. Don't Believe in Your Own PR: Humility is my shield against the hubris that sometimes accompanies leadership. Recognizing that my capabilities are not the measure of what's possible liberates me from self-imposed limitations. Just because I may not see how to make something happen doesn't mean it can't be done.

2. Find the "Yes" in the Idea: I strive to identify elements I can support when presented with new concepts. If I can't embrace an entire proposal, I seek the components I can get behind. This approach fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

3. Don't Fear Failure, Fear Staleness: In a rapidly changing world, the true risk lies in becoming obsolete. I choose to view failure as a tutor, not a tormentor. It's an opportunity to learn and evolve, not a verdict on my worth or potential.

4. Celebrate the Positive Before Finding What Needs to Be Improved: It's essential to acknowledge and rejoice in what's working well. This provides a morale boost and creates a positive foundation upon which constructive feedback can be built.

These habits are more than mere practices; they are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. They have stopped me from being the one who inadvertently stifles potential to one that actively cultivates growth and innovation.

Let's take a moment to reflect on the power of optimism. It is not a naive disregard for reality but a choice to focus on the potential for good. It's about leading, not fearing what could go wrong, but with the courage to pursue what could go right.

As leaders, we are often faced with the daunting task of navigating through uncertainty and making decisions that can have significant impacts. In these moments, choosing optimism is a brave stand against the tide of doubt—a declaration that we believe in the ability of our teams and the promise of our visions.

Remember, how we view our glass—half full or half empty—sets the tone for our entire organization. We create a culture of possibility through optimism, a realm where creativity is nurtured and innovation thrives. It is how we build teams that are resilient, adaptive, and eager to exceed the boundaries of yesterday's thinking.

Let us embrace optimism as our guiding light, knowing that it is with this mindset that we'll unlock the full potential of our teams, drive meaningful change, and lead with a spirit that not only endures but flourishes in the face of challenges.