Fact or Fiction

Research shows these claims are true in many different ways.

Optimism is linked to increased workplace productivity in a host of ways. However, it is important to note that optimism does not refer to wishful positive thinking. Neither the pessimist who believes nothing they do will make a difference, nor the leader who believes everything will be okay regardless of what they do, will be motivated to perform well. Optimism, acknowledges that bad stuff is real, however optimists believe they have the power to act in ways that successfully bring about their goals and they see failures as stepping stones to their eventual success. Bill Gates first business was a dismal failure.

Happiness is linked to optimism, but it is not the same thing. Research shows that happy leadership teams consistently produce higher results than those that are not so happy. Happiness has also been shown to be linked to higher levels of creativity. However, happiness hinders other work tasks such as contingency planning and financial management. On the whole, we want happy people who are able to induce more sombre moods on demand when performing tasks that involve risk analysis and detail.