Optimism Can Be Such A Powerful Business Tool

I was positively surprised by what I heard at Davos — the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting of the elite of business and politics — this year. Actually, you could say I was shocked by the positive outlook.

I’m naturally optimistic, yet the resounding sentiment spurred my confidence.

A record-breaking percentage of CEOs are optimistic about the economic environment worldwide, according to PwC’s latest ‘Global CEO Survey’ which was launched in Davos. For the first time, a majority (57 per cent) of CEOs surveyed believe global economic growth will “improve”. This unprecedented optimism is about twice as high as last year’s.

And these results echo what was being spoken privately — “It’s going to be a good year for business...”; “Trump is good for business...” was repeatedly spoken, even by people who aren’t Trump supporters. They recognise that the administration’s pro-business policies look to be fuelling a stock market boom, corporate confidence and low unemployment.

With deep corporate tax cuts, deregulation and infrastructure spending on tap for 2018, it’s no surprise that leaders are committing to spend the cash on their balance-sheets. Confidence leads to action.

This left me wondering about the impact of optimism. Last week I wrote about the dangers of relying on unfounded hope. For hope to be valuable, it needs to be accompanied by a tangible pathway.

Optimism is much stronger than hope: it is confidence about the future or the success of something. It reflects a belief that future conditions will work out for the best.

It has been proven to be a powerful tool that will pay dividends for your personal life and give you a competitive advantage professionally. There is a lot to be gained, indeed, in cultivating an optimistic outlook.

Optimism is a contagious confidence builder. When you’re surrounded by people who believe, it’s tempting to join in the belief. Largely in the same way as when a group is uncertain, and you begin to question the prospects of success.

An optimistic leader sees opportunity where others see uncertainty and despair.

Listening in Davos, I was reminded of how contagious leaders’ sentiments are. As I heard nearly every leader speak positively about the year, I thought I should have the same feeling (which I already did). It gave me comfort to tightly embrace my own sentiment.

Your outlook will spread and affect others. Frankly, it’s your role to build the belief of your team. If you want them to be confident, be confident.

Optimism — the encouragement to believe in coming success — is one of the key things your team needs from you to achieve positive results. Nowhere is it more important than when leading.

Highly effective leaders have the gift of being able to convince others that they have the ability to achieve beyond what they thought possible. You need to paint an optimistic and attainable view of the future for your team.

Do you give your team a reason to believe it’s going to be a great year? Or do you regularly speak of it being a hard year?

The optimistic leader describes what can be achieved. They talk about it. They’re excited about it. They inspire others to see coming success.

And more so, they give their teams a reason to embrace this belief.

Coming out of a tough economic decade, it’s time that we believe we can achieve something great. See what can be and preach it from the rooftops.

Focus your team on the shifting economic environment globally and remind them that this will impact our region. See what can be, believe in it and speak of it.

Confidence stems from an optimistic outlook. And we need confidence to permeate corporate hallways, journalistic words, and discussions over dinner. We’re long overdue to collectively believe in a successful year.

When you feel certain of success, you’ll act. And when you’re uncertain you hesitate.

Many leaders have been hesitant these past few years, now it’s time for action.

Dr Tommy Weir is a CEO coach and author of ‘Leadership Dubai Style’. Contact him at tsw@tommyweir.com.