Being a leader and being an effective teammate are intricately linked. Great leaders surround themselves with great people, and are aware of how to use the strengths of each teammate in order to achieve goals.

Seeking and listening to the insight of key advisors is an invaluable leadership asset.  What are you doing right now to maximize this resource?  Leaders who enjoy taking on the hero’s role don’t take the time to ensure that their advisors have the tools they need to offer the insight we are seeking.  How can you optimize the effects of advice that is given, and ensure that you are paying attention to the advice of people who may be more objective than you are?

Our inner thoughts directly affect our outer life, which is why it’s essential to make sure that you are directing your thoughts in as positive a way as possible.  Building optimism helps you develop a buffer zone against stress, setbacks and disappointments. It gives you staying power and resilience when your future is fogged with uncertainty. It helps you protect your health and overall quality of life. Optimism has long been considered to be a major asset across such diverse fields as business, politics, academics, leadership, athletics and health – but we’ve never put our finger on the reasons why, making the notion of a “soft” one. Now science is backing the charge towards a more optimistic workplace, and world.

Eye opening information has surfaced on the impact of optimism. Some results include determining that: Positive emotions and optimistic thinking lead to higher pay and better evaluations from supervisors. Pessimistic salespeople sell less and have higher turnover than optimists – and that the most effective executives use positive words four times more often than negative words.  With those kinds of results, it is well worth your time and energy to examine and possibly alter your thought patterns towards a more positive path.