Warren Bennis says in his book, The Leadership Advantage, “Every exemplary leader that I have met has what seems to be an unwarranted degree of optimism – and that helps generate the energy and commitment necessary to achieve results.”

Optimism has been difficult for many professionals to find during the COVID-19 pandemic. For leaders, it’s been paramount to support their team and keep them focused on coming out on the other end stronger than ever.

Before leaders can lead with optimism, they must:

  • Know themselves first. That includes understanding why and how they affect other people – and why other people affect them the way they do.
  • Know their strengths and weaknesses. If they can develop a positive attitude about themselves, that will lead others to have more confidence in them.
  • Adapt behavioral strategies to accommodate others. When leaders can understand how they work with individuals (and how individuals interact with them) during certain situations, they develop a more empathetic leadership style.

Once leaders have these three critical elements mastered, they must turn their attention to leading with optimism, which is guided by six fundamentals:

  • Care. Simply put, leaders must have a genuine concern for their team and colleagues. That includes creating an empathetic and understanding management style and environment. Leaders (hopefully) would never intentionally tell their team they don’t care. Still, actions can sometimes speak louder than words, so be mindful of subtle or unconscious behavior that could be misconstrued as disparaging. Remember, stronger relationships almost always lead to better outcomes – and better outcomes lead to growth.
  • Connect. The pandemic changed almost every facet of life – professionally and personally. Some things have stopped altogether, others remain stalled, and entirely new situations have emerged. Understand what has changed and how that impacts individuals. While the past year has created many opportunities for positive disruption, it’s also allowed leaders to better connect with their team as a facilitator to provide solutions, resources, and information during a time of uncertainty. This has allowed individuals to shape the interactions they have with their leaders and create a stronger bond for the future. As leaders learn to connect and care for their team genuinely, they must find creative ways to express realism while remaining optimistic in the face of uncertainty.
  • Plan. One of the biggest mistakes leaders can make is to leave engagement and connection to chance. Strategy is key to leading with optimism, and strategy needs a plan. Communication (and collaboration, which is addressed below) with team members can happen via multiple channels thanks to technology, but communication also includes verbal and nonverbal tactics. Be clear when sharing goals with team members. Stay in touch with them, and don’t be afraid to modify communication as needed to connect effectively.
  • Agility. If the pandemic has taught leaders anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Leaders must be able to evolve and adapt. If something doesn’t work, don’t waste time by getting stuck in frustration and never-ending analysis. Learn from the situation and build on it moving forward. The accounting profession has been evolving for years, and the pace of change continues to accelerate. Leaders who are agile and can adapt by working and motivating their team will see the results. As Bill Gates said, “Success today requires agility and drive to constantly rethink, reinvigorate, react and reinvent.”
  • Collaborate. Being agile requires a lot of collaboration. Leaders have a much greater chance of getting buy-in and creating optimism if team members feel they are part of the solution. Venture outside the comfort zone, as collaboration includes a variety of people and organizations. When leaders emphasize organizational purpose and culture, individuals gain a sense of ownership in the firm’s operations and are more compelled to do their part to grow.
  • Focus. Leadership is a mixture of calm and urgency, a display of clarity, and an acceptance of ambiguity. It requires looking for the silver lining, motivating the team, and keeping everyone on the same page. By remaining focused and holding everyone accountable, leaders build trust, stir confidence, and inspire everyone to achieve the common goal.

Leaders who can effectively master these six elements significantly enhance their case for leading with optimism.

What one thing will you do differently to lead with optimism? How will you care, connect, plan, demonstrate agility, collaborate, and focus to better lead your team – and elevate your organization’s client service?

Write it down, and make it happen!