Optimistic, realistic, or pessimistic?
Today, Biden sniped at a reporter. Travel, jetlag, and the negative nature of the question are probably to blame. Later, he apologized to the press pool.
The incident itself is less important, but I wanted to point out the apology video. The President ends his speech by speaking of a dilemma that I believe every leader shares. Is optimism, pessimism, or realism the better choice for a leader?
A few things to consider:
- Optimism cannot exist without substance. That's a surefire way to lose credibility fast.
- Pessimism is especially easy to do. Often leaders who take a pessimistic position do so not in order to prepare others for bad news, but in order to prepare themselves for the bad news. It is an unattractive quality for a leader.
- Leaders sometimes believe that their job is always to be realistic. Most times, however, this is a shortcut to being pessimistic. It is also important to bear in mind that in these situations, the people who are listening to you may not possess the same level of detail you possess about the issue. Without context, what you think is "realistic" will come across as pessimistic. The average person rarely considers the upside or the full half of the glass.
- Effective leaders know that honesty without kindness is brutality.
So, what's the right thing to do?
This is not a question I can clearly answer. Exemplary leaders are often:
- Be confident in their abilities and their team's ability to handle any problem.
- Believe in the "general rightness" of the universe. It is an abstract idea that people who follow the right path, in the long run, will prevail and people who are taking shortcuts will fail.
- Communicate the truth always with skills and courage. The information they do share is trustworthy regardless of what they don't share.
- Be willing to change their positions when new information surfaces and to accept responsibility for their actions.
You should always bet on leaders who are capable of doing all four of these things.
General Manager & VP @ Aurora Labs | Driving Sales Growth | SaaS
3 年I agree with Biden’s approach. As a leader, you want to be realistic on what you know and have to optimistic on what is forming and unsettled yet. Only with that optimistic approach you will have a chance to influence the latter and lead it to the desired outcome.
Retired
3 年This administration is in no way working for anyone but themselves. Look at the Biden family’s personal wealth and ask, how? By the way, how are your taxes?
CEO Vidoso - Short Video Automation Platform
3 年Very useful read Sudheesh Nair..
CTO, IRALOGIX
3 年Well said my friend. It's these traits and practice of them, that remains one of the most important things we can do.
Insightful and well-written. You have once again tapped into universal truth.