The Power of Positive Leadership

Chapter 5Positive Leaders Lead with Optimism, Positivity, and Belief

The most important characteristic of a leader is optimism.

—Bob Iger, CEO of Disney

The research shows that optimism is a competitive advantage, but we don't need research to tell us what we already know to be true. After all, if you don't believe in your vision and where you are going, and you are not optimistic that you'll get there, you'll be like the many who give up before reaching their goal and dream. They give up because of the struggle, the negativity, the frustration, the adversity, the fear, the rejection, the naysayers, and the circumstances that seem insurmountable. They give up because they don't have the optimism, positivity, and belief to keep moving forward. But you don't have to give up. You don't have to settle for the status quo. You can see a brighter and better future and work to create it. Do you remember me talking about Rick Hendrick in Chapter 3? He is the man who built both the Hendrick Automotive Group into the largest privately owned dealer group in the United States and turned Hendrick Motorsports into the winningest racing organization in the modern era. Well you probably won't be surprised to know that he lists optimism as his number-one key to success; faith comes in second, attitude sixth, and enthusiasm tenth. Optimism, positivity, and belief are the fuel that positive leaders need to keep moving forward and drive results.

When Donna Orender was the senior VP of strategic ...