Whitespace: The 'O' factor - the future of optimism at work

Issue 74: June 2011

Three years ago Geelong Grammar School embarked on a controversial experiment. In addition to providing conventional classes like art, maths and science, the highly regarded institution (which counts Prince Charles as an alumnus) introduced lessons in optimism.

In a related trend taking place across the globe the value of positive thinking is being factored into public policy making. In recent months, UK Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed interest in establishing an optimism index that would be used to help guide government policy.

Trends such as these have implications for organisations of all kinds. Firstly, if the study of optimism widens to all schools, managers will soon be dealing with younger staff members who are conditioned to see the world differently.

And secondly, if the pursuit of happiness finds a place on Australia's public policy landscape - or maybe even becomes a future election issue - workers may start demanding their employers also find ways of factoring optimism into organisational processes.

A skill that's worth learning
In a recent cover story on the power of optimism, Time magazine concluded that positive thinking has the potential to result in an impressive collection of benefits ranging from lower stress levels to a longer life.

In many ways these benefits don't seem so surprising. But one remarkable conclusion of new research reinforces the tenets of positive psychology by suggesting that optimism isn't an attribute that some people are born with and others are not. It is, fact, a learned skilled.

The Time article describes an experiment involving two groups of university students. Before sitting the same exam one group was told they were smart, clever and intelligent, the other was informed they were stupid and ignorant.

Researchers found those students who were primed with positive thoughts performed better thanks to a knack for identifying and correcting their own mistakes, while those who expected to fail were less likely to spot and fix their errors.

Too much of a good thing?
It’s easy to see the management implications of 'wiring' brains for success. Business blogger Tony Featherstone suggests the ability to remain focused on a brighter future is a vital quality for entrepreneurs as they battle rejection and lack of security on the journey to profitability.

Optimism is also cited as key ingredient of SME success, one that occurs when the key barrier to optimism, fear of change, is addressed. The best way to achieve this, according to author Russ Harris, is to consider the positives of change, to recognise that failure is a learning process.

Positive thinking may be receiving a lot of media attention, but that's not to say all forms of optimism are beneficial. Speaking recently to The Age, psychologist Dr Sarah Edelman advises professionals to find a middle point between blind optimism and realistic thinking.

According to Edelman, rational optimism gives people a sense of what they can influence about a situation as well as what they can't; a balance that helps professionals avoid wasting time on things that cannot control.

Don't worry be happy
In many ways optimism has a reputation problem. Often people see it as nothing more than a yellow smiley face or a child-like quality, something that inevitability disappears as we grow older.

But if current interest in realistic optimism continues to grow workplaces of the future may soon be introducing a range of both formal and informal approaches to bolster positivity and ultimately productivity. And that's definitely something to smile about.

Further reading
The Confidence Gap, Russ Harris
The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves by Matt Ridley
Change Your Thinking by Dr Sarah Edelman

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