Leading with Kindness: How Good People Consistently Get Superior Results

The thing about reality, however, is that it is fuzzy, and one has the

latitude to think the best or worst and still be well within the bound-

ary of rational discourse. The difference between optimists and pes-

simists can be found within this boundary. Optimists do not berate

themselves for what they could have done, and they approach the future

with surety. Pessimists deny themselves little pleasures and, conse-

quently, are not as psychologically prepared when events do not go as

planned.

This, perhaps, is most dramatically evident in the way optimists

and pessimists confront obstacles. Optimists use approach coping

strategies, and pessimists use avoidance strategies.

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Optimists attack

the problem either by planning and seeking instrumental support ...