Don’t Be Positive

In the world of leadership and workplace culture, “positivity” is often seen as the holy grail. We’re encouraged to stay upbeat in front of our teams, maintain a positive outlook when speaking to colleagues, and wrap bad news in a pleasant package.?

But… should we??

Although I’m a cheerful person who tries to inject a bit of joy into everything, I really don't think we should.?

Why not?

Because positivity glosses over real problems and sugarcoats challenges. And that’s dangerous. It may look upbeat and agreeable and may keep the mood light in the short term, but over time it erodes trust and credibility, leading to stagnation and disillusionment.

Teams that operate like this rarely dig deep enough or take meaningful action to solve real problems. They cling to harmony, avoid conflict and don’t push each other hard enough for excellence. As a result, they settle for mediocrity - or worse, they start harbouring feelings of defeat, all while wearing a polite smile. ?

So what’s the alternative?

Something more profound and transformative: OPTIMISM.

Optimism is a very different beast – it’s an act of courage. It’s about holding yourself and others to higher standards, not out of criticism, but out of belief in their potential.

It is often misunderstood as negativity because it refuses to accept the status quo. It advocates for change, is demanding and confrontational, ambitious and persistent.

Optimism doesn’t shy away from hard truths or uncomfortable realities; instead it tackles them head-on with the firm belief that a better outcome is possible – if everyone works for it.?

Positivity may feel nice, but it keeps us stuck. Optimism, on the other hand, challenges us to grow, improve, and make possible something way better – even when it’s damn hard. So if everything around you feels too harmonious and nice, just ask yourself: Am I settling for positivity?