Soup: A Recipe to Nourish Your Team and Culture

Chapter 13. Guard Against Pessimism

"Remember, you're stirring the pot," Grandma continued, "and optimism must flow out of you so it can flow into others. Your team and company need your optimism and positive leadership more than ever. You are not just managing your people. You are managing their beliefs. Instead of being disappointed about where you are, decide to be optimistic about where you are going. When your folks talk about the challenges, then you talk about the opportunities. When others talk about why the company can't succeed, you give them every reason why it can. I can remember when my children were young adults and they faced a setback or challenge. I always encouraged them to work through it. 'Everyone gets knocked down. Everyone has bad days,' I told them. 'But optimistic people get back up and with their positive beliefs they create a positive future.'"

"But what if I believe and others on my team don't believe?" Nancy asked. "What if I'm optimistic and others aren't?"

"Great question," Grandma said. "But I'm not the one to answer this question.... She is," Grandma said as she stood up and hugged the woman who was approaching the table. "Hello, hello, hello, Joy, Joy, Joy," she said, as she and the woman squeezed each other. Nancy tried to figure out how well they knew each other, because with Grandma it was hard to tell. It seemed like everyone was a lifelong friend. "Nancy," Grandma said, "this is my old dear friend, Joy. And, Joy, this is my new dear friend, Nancy." ...