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Christiana Figueres Defines what She Means by Optimism
“The answer to life’s most pressing questions is optimism.” (Masters & Perton)
In a world grappling with climate anxiety and despair, a bold and refreshing voice rises above the noise—Christiana Figueres, the formidable former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Her words, offered in response to a question from Kosha Joubert, cut through apathy and ignite agency. “Christiana, many people today feel that the time for optimism has passed. What makes you optimistic, and how do you define optimism in the context of climate change?” asked Kosha.
Figueres’ answer is a compelling call to action and a brilliant expression of infectiously optimistic leadership:
“First, let me define what I mean by optimism, because so many people use the word in different ways, and everybody obviously chooses to interpret the word in their own context.
For me, optimism cannot be blind or naive. It’s not a sense of ignoring the science, ignoring the news, ignoring the destruction that we’re witnessing. It’s also not an irresponsible optimism, in the sense of saying, ‘Well, this is for someone else to deal with, and I’ll just sit here on the couch and delegate the responsibility.’
"For me, optimism is a well-informed, deeply in-touch choice that we make to transform the pain into conviction and agency. It is not the output of something that we have achieved—it is the input. It is making a choice, which for me is a daily choice, of acknowledging the challenges, acknowledging the painful feelings that we all share, and saying: Precisely because of that, I will pick myself up and turn up in the world with my full agency and my full commitment to this.”
This is the Essence of The Optimism Principle
Christiana’s message is a powerful affirmation of The Optimism Principle (Masters & Perton). She speaks not of optimism as wishful thinking or escapism, but as a strategic, courageous, and action-oriented choice. Victor Perton calls this magnetic optimism—an optimism so authentic and energising that it draws others into purpose-driven action.
In her view, optimism is not the prize at the end of a successful journey—it is the compass that guides it. It is the fuel for change, not the result of it.
This perspective aligns powerfully with The Optimism Effect, the University of Sydney’s landmark study, which proves that optimism is a direct driver of national innovation and productivity.
Optimism Is the Input, Not the Output
What makes Christiana’s words so powerful is her clear rejection of both toxic positivity and disconnected idealism. She offers a profound distinction:
✅ Optimism is not blind.
✅ Optimism is not naive.
✅ Optimism is not passive.
She defines optimism as resilient, grounded, and purposeful; precisely the mindset we need in every workplace, classroom, community, and climate movement.
She is calling on each of us to turn pain into conviction and to see optimism not as something we wait for but as something we choose.
A Leadership Call to Action
Christiana Figueres invites us to show up every day with full agency and wholehearted commitment. This is the heartbeat of infectiously optimistic leadership, the kind that energises teams sparks innovation and drives forward momentum.
Victor Perton puts it powerfully:
“Optimism is the foundation beneath every great leader, every bold idea, and every resilient culture. Without it, strategy flattens, innovation stalls, and leadership loses its spark.”
That foundation begins with a choice and that choice begins with us.
Your Challenge: What Makes You Optimistic?
Ask yourself:
➡ “Am I showing up with optimism as my input?”
➡ “Am I choosing agency over apathy?”
Try out this habit today:
✨ Ask someone in your life, “What’s been the best thing in your day?”
✨ Reflect on your own optimism superpower. Are you a purposeful optimist? A resilient one? A joyful or infectious one?
Conclusion: Optimism is Courage in Action
Christiana Figueres has gifted us a robust definition of optimism: One that faces the storm, not with denial, but with deliberate courage and conviction.
Because, in the end, it’s not about waiting for a reason to be optimistic—it’s about choosing to be the reason.
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