--- title: Draw on the Benefits of Optimism: Michael Phillips OAM description: Michael Phillips OAM said let’s continue to draw on the benefits of optimism and positive thinking. image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Michael%20Phillips.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) ###### [Future](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/future) , ###### [Young People](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/young-people) , ###### [Positive Thinking](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/positive-thinking) # Draw on the Benefits of Optimism: Michael Phillips OAM   "As we continue to work through difficult situations and the challenges of education, let’s continue to draw on the benefits of optimism and positive thinking." A new year's reflection shared with me by Michael Phillips OAM, a hugely experienced school leader. Michael told me,  "As we continue to work through difficult situations and the challenges of education, let’s continue to draw on the benefits of optimism and positive thinking." "Affirmation and celebration of teacher and principal work has never been more important. Our education workforce provides the leadership and develops the positive relationships needed for students to learn well and be well. "We can be confident that students will remain positive agents for change and innovation when they engage and enjoy their learning. Our school communities provide environments and opportunities that enable young people to connect, grow and thrive. [![Read More: Optimism and the Young](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/598006b8-1b3b-4920-9552-db137b3ca530.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/598006b8-1b3b-4920-9552-db137b3ca530) I have always admired Michael's leadership.  A few years ago, Michael told us, "The ability to remain optimistic and plan ahead in the midst of uncertainty is really important. Focus on the road ahead and not the rearview mirror." That's what [Michael Phillips OAM](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrphillips54/) told us! > "The ability to remain [#optimistic](https://twitter.com/hashtag/optimistic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and plan ahead in the midst of uncertainty is really important. Focus on the road ahead and not the rearview mirror." > That's what Michael Phillips OAM [@mrphillipsoz11](https://twitter.com/mrphillipsoz11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) told [@Centre4Optimism](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@optimistleader](https://twitter.com/optimistleader?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > Ping [@australianlead](https://twitter.com/australianlead?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/xPDCkBfdeV](https://t.co/xPDCkBfdeV) > > — Optimistic Leaders Inspire! (@optimistleader) [July 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/optimistleader/status/1287185837612924929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   [![Worth Doing: Our 5-Minute Survey on "What makes you Optimistic?"](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/3fe2583c-4bf7-44c7-b2c7-b0a950f65f53.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/3fe2583c-4bf7-44c7-b2c7-b0a950f65f53)   [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 ###### [Future](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/future) , ###### [solarpunk](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/solarpunk) #### ["Solarpunk imagines an optimistic, utopian vision of the future"](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/solarpunkaugust2025?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/solarpunkaugust2025?hsLang=en) ###### [Future](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/future) , ###### [CHOGM](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/chogm) #### [An Optimist's Take on "Our Commonwealth, Our Future"](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/chogmfutures?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/chogmfutures?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" : "2023-01-01T23:17:27.006Z", "datePublished" : "2023-01-01T23:15:41.000Z", "headline" : "Draw on the Benefits of Optimism: Michael Phillips OAM", "image" : [ "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Michael%20Phillips.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/michaelphillipsoam", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg" }, "name" : "The Centre for Optimism" } } ```