“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” These inspirational words by Martin Luther King, Jr. epitomize what optimism stands for—a positive life view, an unwavering belief that all is going to turn out well in the end. As a leader, optimism is non-negotiable in your quest for leadership power. Just as an optimistic leader can fuel and inspire others to achieve, so it is for yourself: optimism is that precious combustible substance that provides our mental and emotional energy, that which converts our hopes and aspirations into kinetic energy and that allows us to glimpse the realization of our ideas in brilliant Technicolor. Optimism drives us to action. It sets a tone of hope, vitality, and inspiration for others and for you.

Leaders are purveyors of hope. They paint a picture of a tomorrow that is better than today. Hope is one of the most powerful elements of leadership. As Luthans and Avolio assert, “The force multiplier throughout history has often been attributed to the leader's ability to generate hope. Optimism is the lifeblood of leadership.” When you have an optimistic outlook about your ability to succeed, no matter what goes on around you, you end up at a vantage point. It’s like getting the best seat in the house from which you can view yourself executing your desired outcomes. It’s watching yourself in your own inspiring movie—with you as the screen writer. That optimistic image of yourself in your mind’s eye is more powerful than any other strategy for developing and acquiring personal leadership power. One of the hallmarks of optimistic individuals is that they approach their envisioned plans for themselves and those they lead with a subconscious attitude of “Why not?” Contrast the energy contained in this question with its counterpart, “Why?” They have an abiding belief that they can accomplish what they set out to do. We often spot these people by the potent force of their wills which is unwavering, even in the midst of chaos. Where others might unwillingly take detours, these leaders forge ahead, following the internal directions they set out for themselves.

There is no doubt that optimism gives one a competitive advantage. Where others have resigned themselves to the status quo, leaders with an optimistic outlook seek to take control of their destiny. They believe that they can have a big influence on the future—and that belief fuels their optimism, which in turn fuels leadership power. Powerful leaders are motivated by a strong inner sense of their ability to work with the energy of all situations. They know that they can deal with whatever hand they are dealt, when they put in the effort required. This confidence helps them stay the course, if they deem this beneficial to their desired outcome. As Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, states: “Even once you have a strategy that makes sense and holds together from different angles, optimism is essential when trying to do anything difficult because difficult things often take a long time. That optimism can carry you through the various stages as the long term unfolds.” Optimism also enables one to rebound from setbacks faster. In an atmosphere of continuous changes and unpredictability, optimistic leaders stay buoyant. They know that doing otherwise would be self-sabotage.

John Kennedy put it aptly: “When you have seven percent unemployed, you have ninety-three percent working.” This is a particular strength of those who practice optimism—the ability to focus on the potential upside of each situation. Where pessimists see red lights, optimists look for green lights. What red lights are stopping you right now from the full attainment of your leadership power? How many of these might have been installed by you? What is one situation in your life that would change radically if you made a deliberate effort to view it with fresh eyes? How can you reframe what you see in order to glean the upside? What if you took a fearless perspective? How many new doors would you be able to open? Just as optimistic leaders set the tone for others in their organizations, so they also set it for themselves.

How do you develop this belief in a better tomorrow and the ability to deal with less than what was desired as situations evolve? We believe that one of the secrets of accomplishing this is being in that blissful and ennobling state of appreciation, experiencing the power of gratitude, of counting one’s blessings. When coaching clients in our leadership development practice, we often ask them to list four or five things that they are grateful for, in the moment. We ask them to begin their day with this ritual of appreciation.

* What are your blessings?
* How many can you list right now?
* How would your life change if you began your day, every day, from that perspective?

This article is an adaptation of The Power to Lead: Lessons in Creating Your Unique Masterpiece by Gregg Thompson and Bruna Martinuzzi.