On more than a few occasions I have heard these exact words come out of a firm leader’s mouth - “maybe I am being overly optimistic.” This sentiment expressed to me after I had expressed concerns about what I was seeing or hearing from individuals in their company. Things weren’t OK. People were struggling. Things needed to be addressed and not ignored.
These leaders weren’t bad people. They cared about their people - a lot. They didn’t, however, want to face the realities of the situation because they didn’t know how.
Leaders have a lot of control.
Those at the top have the authority to make decisions quickly and decisively.
Those in the middle can decide what they reveal to those above them. What they personally decide to see and address.
And those who don’t have a seat at any table are left to either gently prod and cajole, shut up and put up, or leave.
Instead of leading from the top/down, I would suggest a bottom/up approach. Hearing from those on the front lines who understand what it is going to take to deliver on business promises. Those who see a better, smarter, easier way to get things done.
Ask these three questions;
What are we experiencing?
What are we learning?
What do we need to do differently?
Leaders naturally wear blinders as a result of their positional power. But, they must stop being overly optimistic and become more pragmatic. Start listening. And more importantly, start hearing!
So, before the words - ”maybe I am being overly optimistic” - come out of your mouth, just know that you probably are.