Realistic and Optimistic: Managing Mindset in Challenging Times

We are all going through trying times. Many of us may also be working to help employees, volunteers, families, and friends cope with present situations of uncertainty. In times of uncertainty, a leader is responsible for fostering optimism within oneself and helping employees and volunteers to do the same. A leader should be able to assess issues and make decisions without falling into a pessimistic mindset. Here we will share tips on how to foster a sense of optimism, which may help you maintain a healthy mindset in these challenging times.

Why do you need both optimism and realism?

Successful leadership requires both optimism and realism. Collins (2009) wrote that an effective business leader needs to be able to accept brutal realities while also "never losing faith" when organizational challenges arise. In addition, the author emphasized that financially successful companies have leaders who do not sugarcoat problems when communicating with employees. They balance speaking on harsh reality while inspiring perseverance within the company.

Optimistic people are often better at coping because they are not denying that they are facing challenging and frightening situations (Carver, Scheir, & Segerstorm, 2010). The authors also share that optimists are usually more likely to adapt in creative ways when complex challenges present themselves, both in their personal lives and in the workplace.

There are health benefits associated with keeping a positive state of mind. Benefits to optimism may include improved immunity and longer life expectancy (Chida & Steptoe 2008, Doyle et al., 2006; Marsland et al., 2006, Terril, Ruiz & Garofalo, 2010). Optimistic people also tend to suffer less intense symptoms associated with chronic health conditions and diseases (Maes & Schlosser, 1987; Matthews, Raikkonen, Sutton-Tyrrell, & Kuller, 2004; Rassmusen & Wallio, 2008). In contrast, Tennen and Afleck (1987) found that although optimism can sometimes be beneficial, too much optimism can cause people to believe bad things will not happen to them, which can cause a false sense of security. The authors also point out that optimists sometimes fail to prevent making the same mistakes in the future and fail to take timely action to address pressing issues, due to their false security.

Tips to Balance Both Optimism and Realism

We adapted the following tips from the literature to help you develop a positive mindset while balancing it with a realistic perspective, within both your work and your life.

• Practice mindfulness. Pay attention to what is happening around you. Observe and be grateful for the positive things in your life. Take time to reflect for 5 minutes each day on these positives. Observe issues and challenges you may need to address, such as challenges with employees due to a COVID policy change. Take action if you identify any pressing issues within your work or life.

• Observe and adjust your patterns of thinking. Are you thinking too many negative thoughts, such as I can't do this? Are you thinking unrealistic thoughts, such as The current situations in society have no impact on me.? Think in a way that is both positive and realistic. If you notice your thought pattern is not balanced (i.e., too many negative or too many positive thoughts), work to adjust it through positive and realistic self-talk. Example: This new policy change is going to take up more time and cause me some stress, but I know I am able to handle it!

• Believe in yourself, but do not underestimate challenges. Do not get frustrated when addressing problems. Remind yourself that you can handle the new challenges that arise in times of uncertainty. Recognize that a good leader has to adapt to new challenges, which takes time and brainpower.

• Look forward to the future, but be realistic things may not quickly change. The challenges of today will not be here forever. Remind yourself, employees, volunteers, and loved ones of this truth. However, do not make promises that things will change that you cannot keep or control.

• Keep yourself informed, but limit media intake. Be intentional about what information you are consuming. Limit yourself on the amount of time spent consuming negative messages on news and social media outlets.

• Reflect on messages you are sending to employees, volunteers, and loved ones. Critically examine your past information related to the uncertainty in your organization and life. If you are being too positive or too negative, work to adjust accordingly. 

References

Brower, T. (2019). How Optimism Can Help Your Career: 4 Simple Steps. Forbes.

Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Optimism. Clinical psychology review, 30(7), 879-889.

Chida, Y., & Hamer, M. (2008). Chronic psychosocial factors and acute physiological responses to laboratory-induced stress in healthy populations: a quantitative review of 30 years of investigations. Psychological bulletin, 134(6), 829.

Collins, J. C., & Collins, J. (2006). Good to great and the social sectors: A monograph to accompany good to great. Random House.

Doyle, W. J., Gentile, D. A., & Cohen, S. (2006). Emotional style, nasal cytokines, and illness expression after experimental rhinovirus exposure. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 20(2), 175-181.

Maes, S., & Schlosser, M. (1987). The roles of cognition and coping in health behavior outcomes of asthmatic patients. Current Psychological Research & Reviews, 6(1), 79–90.

Marsland, A. L., Cohen, S., Rabin, B. S., & Manuck, S. B. (2006). Trait positive affect and antibody response to hepatitis B vaccination. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 20(3), 261-269. 

Matthews, K. A., Raikkonen, K., Sutton-Tyrrell, K., & Kuller, L. H. (2004). Optimistic attitudes protect against progression of carotid atherosclerosis in healthy middle-aged women. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66, 640–644

Morin, A. (2015). 5 Ways An Overly Optimistic Outlook Can Hold You Back From Success. Forbes.

Rasmussen, H. N., & Wallio, S. C. (2008). The health benefits of optimism. Positive Psychology. 

Terrill, A.L., Ruiz, J.M. & Garofalo, J.P. Look on the bright side: do the benefits of optimism depend on the social nature of the stressor?. J Behav Med 33, 399–414 (2010).