Professor Martin Seligman, founder of the Positive Psychology Movement
“What we want is not blind optimism but flexible optimism – optimism with our eyes open.
We must be able to use pessimism’s keen sense of reality when we need it, but without having to dwell in its dark shadows.”

Dominic Barton, Global CEO, McKinsey
“Optimism is at the very core of leadership. The best leaders I have encountered in my career are those that remain optimistic – and ambitious – for their organisations even in the face of great adversity. They are those whose optimism enables them to recognise the potential in others, and help them develop to be leaders themselves.”

Mick Farrell, Global CEO, Resmed
“Optimism is the triumph of hope over fear, of truth over deception, but it must be grounded in reality. Optimism without realism is just a dream; hope alone is not a strategy. Detailed planning of scenarios, laying out of plans towards an ambitious goal, and then inspiring a team to climb that hill together with passion and a mission greater than oneself – that combination is a sure path to success.”

Janet Dore, Deputy Chair, Central Highlands Water
“Leadership is classically a two way street between the ‘boss’ and the ‘workers’ which entails mutual beliefs based on trust. Such trust is built on the observed behaviours of leaders in the business. So optimistic leadership better be founded on facts and supported by tools for the job or the BS meter will sound the alarm. No room for complacency either way but it’s exhilarating when it works.”