"I am optimistic because the world looks so much better through an optimistic lens. Instead of focusing on the obstacles, you can focus on your goals. There are enough people out there who are happy to tell you what you can't achieve, so if you don't believe in yourself, who will? And the best part is that when you have a positive "can do" attitude, it impacts the people around you in a positive way and becomes mutually reinforcing."
That's what Lewis Grimm told me when I asked him what makes him optimistic.
Lewis Grimm is Co-Head of Leveraged Finance at Jones Day.
What makes you Optimistic?
I asked Lewis about the positive leaders who have inspired him.
Lewis told me, "I get the biggest part of my inspiration from my wife, who shares my enthusiasm and believes in me. However, probably the most inspiration that I have received from a leader/boss came from my current financial markets group co-head (at Jones Day), Brett Barragate. When I once raised concerns that something wasn't as it should have been, his response was, "so what are you going to do about it?" That was probably the most empowering thing that anyone has said to me since he made it clear that I had the power to effect change."