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A Commentary by Victor Perton
"I believe for businesses, teams, and leaders, active #optimism in seeing the world as it could be is the only practical course of action," wrote Stephen Corlett in "5 ways to embed active optimism into your work life."
Stephen writes about active optimism, "I see this as being willing to see what others don’t, to learn, and to try new things. It’s about fostering the growth mindset, which in turn allows people to be who they are and do things they never thought possible."
The five suggestions from Stephen - believing progress is possible, practising gratitude, being proactive, surrounding yourself with optimistic people, and telling empowering stories - make perfect sense to me. Optimism is the underlying mindset that fuels creativity, collaboration and courage. In my experience with leaders and teams, when we embed active optimism through gratitude, belief in progress and telling empowering stories, we create workplaces where people flourish.
The five suggestions from Stephen—believing progress is possible, practising gratitude, being proactive, surrounding yourself with optimistic people, and telling empowering stories—make perfect sense to me. Optimism is the underlying mindset that fuels creativity, collaboration and courage. In my experience with leaders and teams, when we embed active optimism through gratitude, belief in progress and telling empowering stories, we create workplaces where people flourish.
Active optimism goes beyond a positive outlook—it is the intentional choice to engage with challenges constructively and hopefully. It empowers people to take action rather than wait for circumstances to improve. It gives leaders and teams a steady foundation and a forward-facing focus in times of uncertainty or change.
The benefits are clear. Teams driven by active optimism tend to be more resilient, more innovative, and better at problem-solving. Optimistic workplaces attract and retain talent, foster psychological safety, and encourage continuous learning. When people believe that progress is possible and that their efforts matter, motivation and morale rise, and so does performance.
At the Centre for Optimism, we see time and time again that optimism is a strategic advantage. It underpins effective strategy, drives innovation, strengthens resilience and is the lifeblood of successful change programs. Whether navigating complexity or leading through transformation, optimistic leaders and teams are more likely to energise those around them, stay the course and deliver lasting results.
Is active optimism your type of optimism? Try out my "What is your Optimism Superpower?" exercise and discover your unique way of bringing optimism to life.
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