By Mindy Bortness

To me, being optimistic is all about energy. When I approach a new situation with optimism, I’m bringing a lighter, more open energy into the interaction. This intention then becomes the focus. Despite what energy exists prior, or any somber facts that lead up to a current difficult situation, the infusion of optimism is always an energy reset for forwarding momentum and results.

Bringing optimism to the table allows others to move past their pain. While pain exists in the workplace—through tenuous relationships, tricky in-person/virtual settings, the stress of workloads, and fear of failure, to name a few—my goal is to always help people push through. I don’t want individuals to spend too much time in their pain; instead, I want them to acknowledge it and learn from it for their better future.

Think about the last time you worked with a team where optimism was not present. I’m willing to guess the void hindered communication, squashed the open exchange of ideas, and kept a lid on reaching toward greatness. Nothing squashes hope or brilliance more than negativity, and it only takes one person to let this energy impact the group!

In today’s more-unpredictable-than-normal world, being optimistic can feel like an act of rebellion. However, I think optimism is less about a natural tendency and more about a personal choice. How do you want to show up in the world? How can you do your best work? What will help you be the most effective leader? Bring your spirit of optimism and watch your impact shine.

This blog was reprinted with permission from Mindy Bortness and communicationworksinc.com.