By Dr Dan Harrison, CEO & Founder Harrison Assessments International
Get your opinions valued.
Do you generally believe the glass is half full more than half empty? And do you often find yourself using extreme positivity to relay why or how your opinion is the best, or do you also include using some statistics, past experiences and data to support your opinions? Both approaches can work.
Let’s discuss a key paradoxical competency: Realistic Optimism. Realistic Optimism might seem contradictory at first glance; actually, it’s a powerful combination. Being aware of potential challenges ensures preparedness, while optimism fuels resilience and motivation. This synergy makes your opinions both aspirational and grounded, avoiding the pitfalls of being blindly optimistic or pessimistic. Being both realistic and optimistic elicits respect for your opinions.
- Leveraging Realistic Optimism
To effectively use Realistic Optimism:
– Take a balanced view: Always give equal importance to assessing the advantages and potential difficulties of a plan or strategy.
– Seek Diverse Insights: Discuss plans with colleagues who can offer diverse perspectives or insights.
– Diversify the sources of information you rely on. Consciously seek out materials or experts that might present a differing perspective.
- Developing Optimism
If you tend to be more realistic than optimistic give more attention to opportunities, benefits and gratitude:
– Invite optimistic people to brainstorm about solutions and strategies. Fully listen and summarize their viewpoint before presenting any counterpoint.
– Give more time to consider and value the benefits of plans or strategies.
– Focus more on solutions rather than lamenting or worrying about problems.
– Make sure your goals are sufficiently challenging.
- Developing Realistic Prudence
If you tend to be more optimistic and give less attention to potential difficulties, consider these steps to avoid other losing confidence in your views:
– Revisit your important existing plans or strategies to understand how they will be impacted by emerging issues.
– Invite people who are analytically cautious to brainstorm about solutions and strategies. Be sure to fully listen and summarize their viewpoint before presenting any counterpoint.
– Take more time to consider what could go wrong related to new plans or strategies.
– Focus more on ensuring you have considered the major obstacles rather than hoping it will all work out.
– Make sure your goals are realistic.
- The Impact of Realistic Optimism in Professional Settings
Realistic Optimism is not just a strategy, it’s a balanced mindset. It ensures your perspectives are seen as bold, resourceful, practical, and prudent. In the professional world, this balance fosters respect and trust, making your opinions an esteemed asset in any discussion or decision-making process. Always remember, the key to getting your opinions valued in the workplace, is to have valuable opinions. If we can help you strengthen your voice so that your opinions aren’t only heard, but received well, and responded to, reach out to Empower Edge Solutions for a complimentary DEMO of this core competency report today.
