“Optimism is a choice and a habit. It is a proverbial muscle we can strengthen by exercising it.” Colonel Rob Campbell
2025 is here and terrorism is dominating the headlines. A U.S. Presidential transition is upon us after a wild election year. It feels like a crisis to many – like the wheels are coming off the proverbial car. I’ve experienced my share of crises. They are hard to avoid serving over 27-years in uniform and leading in combat three times. Each crisis strengthened me. I’m not sure who first stated, “that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” but it is very true. Along with growing stronger I’ve discovered and embraced optimism. That’s right, even in the darkest of times optimism is possible. I dedicate a chapter to this in my latest book, “Left and Right of the Boom. The Art of Leadership Before, During, and After Crisis.”
Crisis, indeed, is replete with negativity. No sane leader or organization wishes for it. Catchy sayings such as, “sometimes you win, sometimes you learn” or Albert Einstein’s “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new” don’t carry much weight when sitting among the wreckage of a crisis. It’s ugly, nasty, foul, chaotic, and downright painful, but optimism must survive if there is any hope for the future. Let me share some thoughts on optimism and offer ways you can keep it close as you navigate your own crisis.
Simon Sinek, famed speaker and author shared, “Optimism is not being naïve or denying reality. It is a belief that the future will be better than our current situation.” Optimism is a belief. I have leaned on that belief to guide me as a leader. I frankly do not know how anyone can lead without optimism, for without it is to be without belief and hope — and organizations (and their people) need that belief and hope to get through crisis. In crisis, my optimism is challenged, and it takes work to maintain it — real work. Optimism is a choice and a habit. It is a proverbial muscle we can strengthen by exercising it…
