According to Johnny C. Taylor, CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, “Ineffective people management was 2019’s biggest issue.” In a recent USA Today column he described the breakdown of communication and trust that leads to employee dissatisfaction and loss of motivation. He suggested that leaders need to master the art of people management and make culture a priority.    

One simple way to create a positive culture and enhance your leadership impact is to focus on optimism. An optimistic leader sends messages of positivity by encouraging team members to see challenges as opportunities. The positive leader will always find the silver lining and will share their enthusiasm with others. A positive attitude and a positive outlook are critical traits for a strong leader and this optimism can inspire meaning throughout an organization.

Positive leaders outperform less positive leaders by as much as 40%. High performing teams have a positivity ratio of at least 4-1. If you want to avoid the breakdown of communication and trust described by Taylor, focus on the strengths within your organization. Resolve to bring optimism into your organization and it will enhance your business outcomes and assist in building a culture of deep engagement and meaning. 

 Optimism has also been shown to be good for us. Studies show that having a positive attitude filled with optimism leads to less stress, less cardiovascular disease and greater well-being. Optimists have better connections with their environment, thereby providing the opportunity to create meaning in their life and the lives of others. It is vital to the health and well-being of an organization to have leaders who have an optimistic, positive and caring attitude. 

In 2020, resolve to be a meaning-centered leader. A leader who builds organizational strength and well-being through an optimistic approach.