Optimism is Predicated on Moral Candor: Cornell William Brooks
A Commentary by Victor Perton
"Optimism is predicated on moral candor."
With this striking statement, Cornell William Brooks captured the essence of optimism as more than just hope - it is a commitment to truth, integrity, and ethical leadership. Speaking at a Harvard Kennedy School panel on the implications of Donald Trump's rhetoric and leadership, Brooks emphasized that optimism should be grounded in moral clarity rather than wishful thinking or blind positivity.
Expanding on his perspective, Brooks added, "I'm optimistic because people retain the ability to be optimistic. This will be the reservoir of resilience and agency that they will need."
His words highlight the enduring power of optimism as a force that fuels excellent leadership, driving perseverance, ethical responsibility, and meaningful action, particularly in uncertain political and social climates.
This perspective aligns with the principles we advocate at The Centre for Optimism, where we believe that "realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders" serve as beacons in times of widespread pessimism and cynicism. Our mission is to ask individuals, "What makes you optimistic?"—a question that encourages reflection on personal sources of hope and resilience as I discuss in my book, "Optimism: The How and Why," optimism is not merely a passive state but an active force that can be cultivated through deliberate habits and practices. By fostering an environment of moral candour and integrity, leaders can inspire confidence and drive positive change, embodying the essence of infectious optimism.
Commenting, Centre for Optimism Chair Robert Masters AM said, "Cornell Brooks's comment has opened up new ideas about leadership and optimism. Personal integrity is being honest with yourself and others and aligning this honesty with your values. As leadership is about understanding self-awareness, it becomes essential to demonstrate those values in everything you do. In reality, you must 'know yourself' and ensure your actions reflect your values and the trust you place in others to achieve the outcomes everyone strives for."
Janes Strock told me, "Optimism is powerful when it’s most necessary: as a means of summoning resolution amid an accurate evaluation of the challenge at hand. To toss optimism as a garnish in a word salad means little. To credibly illuminate a path toward a positive outcome to a high-stakes challenge is to summon optimism in action, a force multiplier.”