The Persuasive Power of Irreverent Optimism
After years of studying adult learning, leadership, and creativity, I am humbled to confirm that there is no magic formula for transformational leadership.
Yes, countless books have been written on the subject by successful innovators and business icons, but they all have a shelf life because leadership arises out of context, and context changes constantly.
So, how can you inspire your followers to help you create positive change in a constantly changing world?
I’ll give you a hint: Let in more laughter.
Irreverent Optimism Could be Your Secret Sauce
Irreverent optimism is a specific way of thinking, feeling, and communicating that helps others confront the status quo, laugh at absurdities, and dream of new possibilities.
Not to be confused with irrational optimism or toxic positivity, that cherry-pick facts and minimizes inconvenient truths, irreverent optimism outsmarts egos and moves people through four empowering phases:
Phase 1: Getting really candid about the inconvenient truths and subconscious rules shaping our world.
Phase 2: Giving people permission to release some tension (at least temporarily!)
Phase 3: Reigniting courage by reminding people of the bigger goal or the long game.
Phase 4: Seeding new ideas or solutions, calmly and fearlessly.
Each one of these phases is powerful in its own right, but in combination they can become a leader's secret sauce!
How to Cultivate Irreverent Optimism at Work
Anyone can use irreverent optimism as a psychological tool and precipitate some really remarkable shifts.
You can begin by experimenting with any one of these practical approaches:
Seek out more funny and eye-opening experiences, such as improv theater, cultural commentary, satirical literature, and music. Let them remind you that confronting awkward and inconvenient truths is part of being human, and it’s how positive change starts!
Tune out negative news chatter and sign off from social media. By focusing your attention and energy on things that make you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically stronger IRL, you can build trust in your own endurance to make and sustain positive change.
Deliver a mini-State of the Union on an upcoming initiative and invite your team to “tip the sacred cow.” By allowing them to let go of politeness for a bit and respectfully question the going assumptions, you can increase their investment in the strategic problem your company is trying to solve.
Open one of your weekly meetings with a humorous observation about yourself and invite team members to share any lighthearted "fails." By including yourself in this exercise, you strengthen team bonds through candor and laughter and reinforce that perfection is never expected.
Create a little tradition each quarter to celebrate the most unconventional ideas that made your team laugh and inspired them to punch up and keep going! By breaking ‘the rules’ and encouraging out-of-the-box ideas, you may accidentally reveal the underside of some truly valuable ones!
Ready to Lead with Irreverent Optimism?
If you’re craving a more honest, creative, and energized way of working with your team, Elevated Leadership might be right for you. Let’s create your secret sauce together.
