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I am an optimist because I believe in the potential of people: Curt Carlson
"I am an optimist because I believe in the potential of people. When motivated people identify an important problem, they become engaged and refuse to accept failure."
That's what Dr Curtis Carlson told me when I asked him what makes him optimistic.
We corresponded on Singapore Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's speech "Creating Bases for Optimism in an Era of Insecurities." (Watch the Speech)
Curt was on the Singapore Innovation Council for 12 years when the foundations of Singapore's innovation economy were being built — starting from zero. Curtis got to know Tharman and all their leaders, including PM Lee. Curt made the point "Notice how Tharman insists progress is essential for all, including the middle class with the poor. No de-growth thinking in Singapore. No, identify problems and innovate."
Curt is the Distinguished Executive in Residence, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Professor of Practice, at Northeastern University; Founder and CEO of Practice of Innovation, LLC; and President and CEO of SRI International, 1998-2014.
Some other Thinkers on Optimism and People
Dr Ross Honeywill, Executive Director, Centre for Social Economics
“Optimistic people have high social intelligence - that ability to use our improbably large brains to successfully navigate complex social situations. Let’s use our social intelligence to invoke a simple world view: Do not be careful what you wish for.“
Maureen Metcalf, Author and Radio Host
“Optimism is the fuel that powers our vision and aspirations. The combination of worth vision, passion and optimism make almost anything possible. During challenging times, by surrounding ourselves with people who possess this combination we will find joy in the struggles and create a positive outcome, even if not what was originally planned.”
Daniel Kahneman, Author
"Optimistic people play a disproportionate role in shaping our lives. Their decisions make a difference; they are inventors, entrepreneurs, political and military leaders - not average people. They got to where they are by seeking challenges and taking risks"
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