Leading with Grounded Optimism

Follow the rainbow to a bright future

A rainbow represents an optimistic future. And at some point the arc launches from the ground. That’s why the rainbow is the perfect symbol for the work I do and a key to leadership in general. I call it: grounded optimism.

Here are 3 values of grounded optimism that guide my work.

Believe you’re in control of your own destiny

By following an internal locus of control, leaders are more likely to have the internal drive to learn and grow.

IMPORTANT NOTE that this doesn’t discount external circumstances like systemic racism and white supremacy that have very real consequences on the lives of a BIPOC, whatever their locus of control might be. (And on that note, I ground my views in that I’m writing this article from a position of privilege as a white woman.)

Embrace change, because it might lead to something even better

Changes can unlock surprisingly opportunities. Take covid’s impact on business. While this huge disruption immediately stopped business as usual, it also spurred amazing new collaborations and partnerships.

Lean into your strengths, and be realistic about your stretches

Great leaders invest in their own strengths — as well as the strengths of teammates. For example, every fabulous blue sky thinker needs a complementary doer who can make their ideas a reality. By embracing your own limitations and partnering with others unlike yourself, you lead more authentically, while also accomplishing amazing results.

This is a great trick I’ve learned for also dealing with imposter syndrome, or feeling you’re not good enough. You don’t have to be good at every single thing. Find the people that prop you up in your stretchy areas, and your team will be better for it.

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