"Why are you so optimistic?"

People have asked me this question a lot …and I’ve heard this question even more in recent months as we all process the horrific, unthinkable images and headlines dominating our news feeds these days. And, just the other day as I set out for one of my morning jogs (admittedly and unfortunately slower than they were 10 years ago), I found myself reliving some of the things I had seen and read in the past few weeks…and realized that my optimism was in many ways fueled by observing and consuming little moments of inspiration that appeared in a wide variety of moments, places, and most importantly leaders.

Inspired by Eddie Lacy: I read a powerful article on ESPN in which much-ridiculed NFL running back Eddie Lacy shared publicly – in an incredibly insightful, vulnerable, personal way – his struggle with weight issues and the impact that horrific online taunting has on him as a man. And I thought – I can be a better leader with a little more of Eddie Lacy in me.

Inspired by Brian Wiese: Every fall, I have the genuine thrill of serving as the play-by-play announcer for the Georgetown Men’s Soccer team (where I played many moons ago). I recently broadcasted as the team fell behind 2-0 in the second half of a match with just 20 minutes remaining….with little suggesting the potential for a comeback. And then Head Coach Brian Wiese, a good friend, looked deep down the bench and saw a freshman who had not played a single minute in any of the previous 8 games and decided to take a chance on the unproven rookie. Two minutes into his college career, the young man scores a goal….the tide turns completely and Georgetown completes the comeback with a 3-2 overtime win. And I thought – I can be a better leader with a little more Brian Wiese in me.

BTW, if you are interested in a random assortment of soccer, government, and Deloitte tweets, follow me @dhelfrich21. The audio/visual evidence of the Georgetown win can be seen here…and yes, my voice reaches those adolescent octaves in the big moments. And, as one of the biggest soccer fans in this country, believe me the irony isn’t lost on me that I am posting a blog on leadership optimism the day after the most depressing loss in US Men’s Soccer history. But I will save my analysis of that situation for another day…

Inspired by Gianandrea Noseda: I went to the National Symphony Orchestra opening night at the Kennedy Center, and saw the new Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda in action. Unlike other conductors I have seen, his look was pure joy at the music being shared with his customers and the talent being demonstrated by his team. Nothing about himself whatsoever. And I thought – I can be a better leader with a little more Gianandrea Noseda in me.

Inspired by Superintendent Lt. Gen Jay Silveria: I was scrolling through Twitter and saw a huge cross section of people retweeting a video of an Air Force leader who I did not know, Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria. And so I watched – spellbound – as he spoke directly and authentically to the cadets about their obligation to diversity, inclusion, and what is right. I have heard his speech including his “most important thought of the day” bellowing in my brain since watching. It starts with “

If you can't treat someone with dignity and respect, then you need to get out” and then continues eloquently and pointedly from there.

And I thought – I can be a better leader with a little more Superintendent Lt. Gen Jay Silveria in me.

Watch the five mins of Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria’s compelling leadership here.

Inspired by Axelle Madozein: I attended a meeting the other day where I was introduced to Axelle Madozein, an aspiring fashion designer and entrepreneur from the Central African Republic who was spending time in the U.S. as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) program and working with our Deloitte team about how to supercharge her business. Her talk about “being your DNA…impact generations no matter how small you are” really stuck with me. At such a young age, her determination to become the first African company to lead the top 10 fashion companies worldwide, is inspiring and contagious. And I thought – I can be a better leader with a little more Axelle Madozein in me.

Inspired by Amanda Labove: Of the many stories I read describing the devastation in Houston, I was most struck by Amanda Labove’s calmness and confidence in the wake of sheer disaster. Amanda showed an incredible ability to rally strangers around her to help other strangers. And I thought – I can be a better leader with a little more Amanda Labove in me.

Amanda Labove’s incredible story of resilience, confidence, and selflessness can be read here.

Inspired by Carrie Helfrich: I saw a text come in from my wife with an image attached (see image above). It was a handwritten response from my very shy, very adorable, fifth grader Carrie to a school assignment asking, “What advice do you have for Auggie on his first day of 5th grade?” You can see her response here – but wow was I blown away by her very powerful, simple language:

“My first tip is to not react to people that say or do mean things, be kind to everyone and try to become friends if they say no then its ok you will find more people…;and have fun and do not get stressed.”

And I thought – I can be a better leader with a little more Carrie Helfrich in me.

 So…I guess that’s why I am an optimistic leader. There are so many examples of under-the-radar leadership around us every day – leadership that reminds me why I remain hopeful in humanity. Over the next few months, some Deloitte colleagues will share more posts like this in a series we’re dubbing as Deloitte’s Leadership Conversation Series #LCS. As you read our posts, I hope you’ll see that leadership doesn’t look just one way or have one voice. Take a read of the different stories and acts of leadership we share – and don’t be surprised if you catch yourself feeling a bit more optimistic afterwards too.