Confront the Brutal Facts Optimistically!
11/18/03
Jim Collins was interviewed on leadership essentials in building to be great: "Confront the brutal facts (yet never lose faith). We learned that a prisoner-of-war survivor had more to teach us about what it takes to find a path to greatness than most books on corporate strategy. Every good-to-great company embraced what we came to call 'The Stockdale Paradox': You must maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties-and at the same time, have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."
The great leadership truths are often found in the productive tension of managing seemingly powerful counter forces. In this case, you must drive a rock-solid optimistic vision while being willing to face the uncomfortable truths of the obstacles you face in reaching your goals. There is no whistling down dark alleys of global commerce. There is a laser focus on both obstacles and optimistic goals because you actually believe you can achieve those goals.
Research shows that there is a myth that optimists are amiable (probably IQ-challenged) Pollyannas who shield themselves from bad signs and aren't prepared when trouble strikes. Lisa Aspinwall, a University of Maryland psychologist, found that optimistic people are more willing than pessimists to read bad news about their health habits and more willing to learn about their failures on tests. They also remember bad news longer than pessimists do. It may be that pessimists may not want to know bad news about themselves because, unlike optimists, they don't think there's anything they can do about it. Optimists may want to know where their mistakes and problems are so they can improve. Why? They think they can improve. There is a relationship benefit as well. The open approach of optimistic couples makes them more likely than pessimists to bring up what's bothering them so it can be resolved. They are more confident that they can solve their problems.
We all want leaders who are realistic optimists. Leaders want people on their bus who are the same. Work this week to build on your optimistic goals, but take the time with your team to call for a close look at the brutal facts you have to overcome to get there. Together you will overcome them!
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The great leadership truths are often found in the productive tension of managing seemingly powerful counter forces. In this case, you must drive a rock-solid optimistic vision while being willing to face the uncomfortable truths of the obstacles you face in reaching your goals." --Terry Paulson, Ph.D.
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Today's mirth comes from In-Sung Yoo in USA Today. Here are three past winners from science humor magazine, Annals of Improbable Research, and its annual Ig Nobel Prizes. These research projects prove that not all research should be reproduced...or paid for. Enjoy....and weep!
Two British researchers were awarded Ig Nobel Award for "Courtship Behavior of Ostriches Towards Humans Under Farming Conditions in Britain." ...Hard to get away from those fast amorous ostriches.
Chemists Maraziti, Rossi, Cassano and Akiskal won the award for discovering that "biochemically, romantic love may be indistinguishable from having severe obsessive-compulsive behavior." ...Does this protect the love struck under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
George and Charlotte Blonsky were given the award for their patented centrifugal-force birthing device, which strapped mothers-to-be on a spinning table during labor. ...I wonder if the men are expected to get on their too to help with their wives' breathing?
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...