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Dr Karen Johnson of The University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has written a white paper, "The Resilience Factor: American Workforce's Adaptation to Ongoing Challenges," with optimism emerging as a cornerstone for workforce resilience.
Most American Workers are Optimistic About their Future Careers
I asked Karen what excited her about the paper and the findings, and Karen told me, "The American workers and the organizations that will employ them will “Thrive in 2025” (my personal mantra) and beyond. Why? Because we are witnessing a transformative period in the American workforce, where individuals and organizations are finding new ways to thrive amidst uncertainty. Despite the pressures of economic instability, technological advancements, and mental health concerns, American workers and employers continue to demonstrate remarkable adaptability and more than 2/3 of our workers declare optimism about their career futures."
Amid challenges like mental health concerns and job insecurity, 81% of surveyed workers expressed optimism about their career futures. This optimism fosters career confidence, motivating individuals to explore new opportunities and build professional networks, which are critical for career adaptability.
Optimism is portrayed as a driving force behind workforce engagement, enabling workers to see challenges as opportunities. Workers actively engaging in skill development and networking reflect how optimism fuels adaptability and career satisfaction, even in uncertain conditions.
The paper also highlights optimism's role in mitigating challenges in hybrid and remote work environments, such as isolation and blurred boundaries. Optimism-driven leadership and workplace flexibility create spaces where employees can thrive and innovate despite these hurdles.
Resilience and Optimism
Ultimately, The Resilience Factor positions optimism as essential for navigating change and fostering resilience. Individuals and organisations that embrace an optimistic outlook are better equipped to innovate, grow, and succeed in an evolving work landscape.
I asked Karen, "What's the connection between resilience and optimism?"
Dr Karen Johnson told me, "Optimism and resilience are deeply interconnected. Optimism, the expectation that good things will happen and that challenges can be overcome, underpins resilience, the ability to recover from setbacks and adapt to difficult circumstances. Resilience, in turn, feeds optimism and helps keep it strong."
I asked Karen, "Is optimism the key to resilience?"
Karen kindly responded, "I think that optimism is crucial for resilience, but I’m reluctant to call it the sole key to resilience. Other factors like social support, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation also help workers build resilience. In my opinion, there is a bidirectional relationship whereby optimism fosters resilience, and resilience, in turn reinforces optimism. They are like two partners in a perfect marriage where the strength of the relationship is strong because, like the axiom says, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
We are pretty much in agreement. Optimism and resilience are profoundly interconnected, reinforcing the other in a dynamic interplay that equips individuals to navigate life's challenges with greater efficacy and positivity. At its core, optimism provides a framework that enables resilience, fostering an attitude that looks beyond immediate difficulties towards a brighter, more hopeful future.
From the earliest days of The Centre for Optimism, it's been clear that optimism underpins resilience.
Professor Jane Burns emphasised that while tenacity and strength of character are important, optimism drives behaviour when it is easier to give up.
Through over 15 years of research, Martin Seligman and colleagues concluded that optimism is indeed the key to resilience. Resilience experts from The Wellbeing Project's "Wraw Resilience Report 2022" further support this, identifying "Flexible Thinking: Having an open and optimistic mindset" as one of the "5 Pillars of Resilience."
Chris Norman, Chief Executive Officer at NRM Regions Queensland, underscores the importance of this relationship: "The need for optimism has never been more important in dealing with the whole set of daily and long-term complex problems. Our resilience journey has been strengthened by an understanding of the critical need for optimism to underpin our approaches."
Emily Jaksch, Founder of GenerationUs, echoes this sentiment: "Everyone faces adversity but it's how you deal with it that defines the person. Your levels of optimism underpin your resilience and successful response to that adversity!"
Matt Joski, Sheriff of Kewaunee County, told me: "Optimism is the engine that powers resiliency. While there are many character strengths which we all possess, they are all deficient unless supported by and deeply rooted in Optimism. We are impacted in everything from personal relationships to physical health by the existence or absence of Optimism. This powerful trait is not one founded in the denial of reality or refusal of circumstances, but rather the unyielding belief that even our darkest hours bring with them hope and empowerment."
Robert Moritz, Global Chair of PwC, further highlights the importance of optimism in resilience: "Embracing resilience fundamentally means building an optimism in people that will allow them to see failure as a step toward greater knowledge. I believe building organisational resilience and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances is rising to the top of the business agenda, particularly given the challenges we're seeing in the 21st century."
The connection between optimism and resilience is shown through the example of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, where Ernest Shackleton's relentless optimism inspired his entire crew to survive 635 days of shipwreck. His deep-seated optimism provided the bedrock upon which their collective resilience was built, demonstrating how a positive outlook can transform seemingly insurmountable challenges into surmountable ones.
Building Resilience Through Optimism
To build resilience through optimism, engage in the following practices that emphasise positivity, personal growth, and connection:
- Surround Yourself with Optimists: Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you with their positive outlook, creating a virtuous circle in which optimism breeds more optimism.
- Adopt a Smiling Practice: Make smiling a daily habit, greeting everyone you meet with warmth and kindness. As you smile, watch how it transforms your interactions and lifts the spirits of those around you.
- Incorporate Optimistic Greetings: Replace the mundane "How are you?" with a question like "What has been the best thing in your day?" This simple shift invites meaningful conversations and helps people focus on positive moments.
- Optimism Superpower Exercise: Reflect on and articulate your unique optimism superpower. Ask yourself, "What kind of optimist am I? "How do I spread optimism to others?" Share this exercise with friends, family, or colleagues to inspire mutual positivity.
- Visualise Your Best Self: Regularly practise the "Best Self Exercise." Imagine the most resilient and optimistic version of yourself. What actions, attitudes, and habits define this version? Strive to align your daily life with this vision.
- Positive Self-Talk: Use affirmations and focus on your strengths. Frame challenges as opportunities and replace negative thoughts with constructive ones that foster growth and resilience.
- Gratitude Practices: Reflect on what you're thankful for daily. A simple act, like maintaining a gratitude journal or a "gratitude jar," can shift your mindset towards recognising abundance and joy.
- Ask Strength-Based Questions: Practise appreciative inquiry in your interactions. For example, ask, "What has been a highlight of your day?" or "What strengths have helped you overcome recent challenges?" This approach nurtures optimism and solutions-focused thinking.
- Focus on Joy: Actively seek moments that bring you happiness and fulfilment. Whether you savour a sunrise, a beautiful rose, enjoy the laughter of loved ones, or engage in a creative activity, immerse yourself in what makes your heart smile. Share these moments with others to amplify joy and create a ripple effect of positivity.
Optimism as a Strategic Practice
Resilience and optimism are intrinsically linked. Resilient individuals believe in a better future, which drives them to persist through adversity. Optimism fosters the courage to innovate and adapt, turning challenges into opportunities. By embracing the above practices, you can cultivate an environment where optimism becomes the foundation of personal and collective resilience.
Reflection Questions:
- How can you incorporate one or more of these practices into your daily routine to strengthen your optimism?
- What opportunities for personal or organisational growth do you see arising from a culture of optimism?
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