Many years ago, one of my sons (then in 7th grade) asked me whether I was an optimist or a pessimist. Before I responded he amplified on the question, asking if I saw the glass as half full or half empty. I thought, turned to him and said, 'Half of the glass is full. And half of the glass is empty.' He looked at me, a bit stunned. I said, 'I don't see it as either/or. Half of of the glass is full and half of the glass is empty. I wouldn't describe myself as an optimist or a pessimist. I'm a hopeful realist.'
Last night I did a search for that term 'hopeful realist,' to my delight finding a definition that nailed the approach that I adopted decades ago. (See the bottom of this post for Google Search Lab's definition of ‘hopeful realist.’)
Having worked with leaders for years, I have seen the pitfalls of leading with realism but little hope and the pitfalls of leading with hope but little realism. We know from Gallup's research how important trust is to followers— trust that is grounded in truthfulness. And we also know from Gallup's research that followers need to feel hope from their leaders. As I've seen in action, a realistic view of things helps us scope out the problem, and hope helps us move actively to possibilities, to what Einstein would have called 'opportunities in the midst of the challenge.' This combination of realism and hope can help us make things better, or, as Juliette Kayyem phrases it in 'The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters,' make things 'less bad.'
Whether we lead in our families, whether we lead in our neighborhoods, in organizations, in businesses, in schools, in political systems, in teams, and as we each lead ourselves (which is where we have the most agency of all), an approach of hopeful realism is beneficial not only to us but to those around us. This approach can help us navigate challenges, from the more mundane to the most complex.
I've had conversations with people of my generation about the need for us 'elders' to speak hope into the generations below us. The dysfunction, discord, drama and decline in our systems, from political to institutional to climate to social systems, is creating a steady drumbeat of chaos that is leading to despair, anxiety and depression in so many— particularly younger people. An airy fairy 'everything's going to be ok' version of hope that does not acknowledge reality does not cut it. We must be realistic but also lean into hope, helping to be agents of hope in practical ways.
A Google search for a definition of hopeful realism yielded the following from Search Labs, which I share below with the encouragement that you give it a read. I hope it will spark some ideas for you that may help you as you lead in your context, not only leading yourself but leading through your interactions and influence with others. I found this helpful.
*** From Google Search Labs:
Hopeful realism is a perspective that acknowledges the challenges and complexities of reality while maintaining a belief in the possibility of positive change and working towards a better future. It's a balance between recognizing the negative aspects of a situation and holding onto a hopeful outlook and actively working towards improvement. This approach avoids both naive optimism and paralyzing pessimism, opting for a pragmatic and action-oriented approach.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Realism:
It means facing facts, understanding limitations, and acknowledging the presence of problems or difficulties.
Hopeful:
It signifies a belief in the possibility of positive outcomes, a willingness to strive for improvement, and a commitment to taking action despite challenges.
Key aspects of Hopeful Realism:
Acknowledging Problems: It doesn't shy away from difficult truths or harsh realities.
Focusing on Action: It emphasizes the importance of taking steps, however small, towards positive change.
Maintaining a Balanced Perspective: It avoids extremes of either blind optimism or despair.
Finding Strength in Imperfection: It recognizes that the world is imperfect and that progress is often incremental, yet still valuable.
Resilience: It helps individuals and communities persevere through challenges by maintaining a sense of hope and purpose.
In essence, hopeful realism encourages a proactive approach to life's challenges, grounded in both a clear-eyed assessment of reality and a belief in the potential for positive change.
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Wishing you well, always.