Cultivating Optimism: A Key to Harnessing the Power of Serendipity

"Optimism is one of the powerful ways to shape serendipity," John Hagel reminded me last night in a Linkedin comment .

John's writings resonate with me, particularly "The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion ."

John's wisdom has helped illuminate my optimism journey, emphasising the transformative power of optimism and serendipity. They underscore the profound influence we can exert on our paths by embracing an optimistic mindset and smartly positioning ourselves to attract the resources and opportunities that can set big things in motion. This realisation is empowering and inspiring, offering a hopeful perspective on our personal and professional growth.

In a recent tribute I penned to James Strock , titled "An Optimistic Servant Leader Calls on Us to Imagine Catastrophe ," I reflected on the concept of "durable optimism"—an outlook fortified by realism and a collective will that dares to confront potential catastrophes head-on. Strock's wisdom captures this beautifully: "The durable optimism we need is built on sturdy realism, our vision expanded by an intrepid collective will, unflinching in daring to imagine catastrophe."

This notion of optimism, grounded in reality yet courageous enough to confront the unimaginable, is powerful in leadership and life.

In response, John Hagel provided a profound insight that resonates deeply with me: "The untapped opportunity regarding serendipity is learning how to shape it, rather than simply treating it as luck beyond our ability to influence it. As Victor Perton knows, I have written extensively about this. Certainly, cultivating optimism is one of the powerful ways to shape serendipity."

This emphasis on the role of optimism in shaping serendipity is not just enlightening but also motivating. It encourages us to maintain an optimistic outlook, knowing it can actively shape our professional journey.

Hagel's perspective is not just motivating but also empowering.

It transforms the passive view of serendipity, often dismissed as mere chance, into an active process that can be cultivated. It is not simply a matter of luck but rather the result of creating the right conditions—conditions where optimism thrives and unexpected opportunities can emerge. By fostering an environment of positivity, curiosity, and openness, we can increase our chances of encountering those seemingly serendipitous moments that can lead to breakthrough ideas and transformative change. This realisation puts us in the driver's seat of our professional development, making us feel proactive and in control.

In "The Power of Pull," Hagel explores this idea in depth, emphasising that serendipity is most useful when deliberately creating its conditions. He argues that in today's rapidly changing world, success depends less on rigid planning and more on our ability to attract the people, ideas, and resources we need at the right moment. By expanding our networks, engaging with diverse perspectives, and maintaining an optimistic outlook, we position ourselves at the "edge" where innovation and serendipity are most likely to occur.

John Hagel, a member of The Centre for Optimism's Advisory Committee, has significantly influenced my thinking, and my X-Pro is set to show me his daily thoughts.

My Master Classes and one-to-one meetings focus on my "magnetic optimism" concept—"an optimism so tangible with a vision so compelling that people want to reach out and touch it."

As I think about my evolution as an optimist over the last 15 years, Hagel's "The Power of Pull" and Raymond Sexton 's "Tangible Ireland" have strongly influenced the words I have chosen for that master-class.

John Hagel is right. The power to shape our destiny lies in our ability to remain optimistic, even in uncertainty. As we pull the future towards us, let us do so with the belief that our optimistic actions today will create the serendipity we seek tomorrow. The key is to approach the future not with fear but with an optimistic spirit that welcomes the unexpected and sees the seeds of new possibilities.

Modelling infectiously optimistic leadership, genuinely smiling at everyone we pass, and asking, "What's been the best thing in your day?" are actions that, like Hagel's Small Moves, Smartly Made, can set big things in motion.

These seemingly small, intentional gestures are the building blocks of a culture where optimism flourishes, and serendipity becomes a powerful force for transformation. By embracing this approach, we don't just influence our lives—we create ripples that can lead to positive, far-reaching change in the world around us.

How can you incorporate small, optimistic actions in your daily routine to create the conditions for serendipity in your life and work?