--- title: James Gibb on The Power of Optimism description: Dell's James Gibb believes that embracing the power of optimism is in our hands because it’s a learned behaviour. image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20up%20of%20wild%20Daffodils%20growing%20during%20Spring.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Optimism is a Superpower](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-is-a-superpower) # James Gibb on The Power of Optimism "Embracing the power of optimism is in our hands because it’s a learned behaviour." So says James Gibb in "[The Power of Optimism: Breaking free from the Pull of pessimism](https://www.arabianbusiness.com/opinion/the-power-of-optimism-breaking-free-from-the-pull-of-pessimism)." James Gibb is Senior Director and Chief of Staff at Dell Technologies. James wrote: "Optimists don’t believe everything will be great. That’s not reality. Optimists believe that the odds of a good outcome are in their favour over time, even when there will be setbacks along the way. In his book, *The Rational Optimist*, Matt Ridley highlighted three reasons optimism is a rational and reasonable outlook. He based them on historical evidence and human nature. "Human Progress. Despite occasional setbacks and crises, human progress has been steadily improving over time, with massive strides in areas such as health, education, technology, and wealth creation. This trend is often something we lose sight of because it’s not typically what is reported. Innovation. We have a natural ability to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems, helping us overcome future challenges and continue to improve our quality of life. Writer David Brooks further expanded on this theme in [The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/01/american-optimism-productivity-innovation-rise/672714/): “The pessimists miss an underlying truth – a society can get a lot wrong as long as it gets the big things right. If a society is good at unlocking creativity and nurturing its people's abilities, then its ills can be surmounted. Creative energy is one thing \[we\] have in abundance.” [![Read Insights and Wisdom on Optimism and Innovation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/3b557ff9-a44e-40c0-b231-f26b1851b646.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/3b557ff9-a44e-40c0-b231-f26b1851b646) "Resilience. Humans are resilient and adaptable, and we can rebound from the most daunting of setbacks and challenges. Problems correct, people adapt, and our optimism and creativity help us find new solutions and opportunities. [![Read More: Resilience is Underpinned by Optimism](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/c2682823-a241-4f93-a72a-0ea763653c6c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/c2682823-a241-4f93-a72a-0ea763653c6c) "Optimists are hopeful and confident about the future because they would seem to have consciously or unconsciously recognised these patterns, trends, and capabilities, and incorporated them into their approach to life." [![Read More From Optimists on their Optimism](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/b28d9049-955d-4f8d-8209-f424430aad8b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/b28d9049-955d-4f8d-8209-f424430aad8b)   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Optimism is a Superpower](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-is-a-superpower) #### [Operational Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/operational-optimism?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/operational-optimism?hsLang=en) ###### [Optimism is a Superpower](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-is-a-superpower) #### [Quiet Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/quiet-optimism?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/quiet-optimism?hsLang=en) ###### [Optimism is a Superpower](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-is-a-superpower) #### [The Adaptive Power of Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/adaptivepower?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/adaptivepower?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### [Services](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop?hsLang=en) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ##### The Centre for Optimism - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### Services - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ©2026 The Centre for Optimism - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Victor Perton", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton" }, "dateModified" : "2023-04-28T20:00:30.621Z", "datePublished" : "2023-04-28T20:00:30.000Z", "headline" : "James Gibb on The Power of Optimism", "image" : [ "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20up%20of%20wild%20Daffodils%20growing%20during%20Spring.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/james-gibb-on-the-power-of-optimism", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg" }, "name" : "The Centre for Optimism" } } ```