--- title: Top 5 Strategies for Developing Leadership Optimism description: Optimism is perhaps the most important quality you can develop to achieve greater success as a leader. image: https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/iStock-1319874303-min%20(1).jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.rochemartin.com/blog/top-5-strategies-for-developing-leadership-optimism#main-content) [![RocheMartin Operations (UK) Limited Logo](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2021/May_2021/RocheMartin.svg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/) ![](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav.svg) ASSESSMENTS [Emotional Intelligence Assessments Overview](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-assessments) [ECR Self](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-capital-report) [ECR 360](https://www.rochemartin.com/ecr-360-report) [ECR Teams](https://www.rochemartin.com/ecr-teams) [ECR Youth ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-young-people) [ESi](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-sports-inventory) TRAINING [Emotional Intelligence Training Overview](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-training) [Mastering EQ Programme](https://www.rochemartin.com/mastering-eq-programme) [OpenEQ](https://www.rochemartin.com/openeq) [Keynotes](https://www.rochemartin.com/keynotes) COACHING [Executive Coaching Programme](https://www.rochemartin.com/executive-coaching-services) [Dr Martyn AI](https://www.rochemartin.com/drmartynaicoach) CERTIFICATIONS [Emotional Intelligence Certification Overview](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-certification) [ECR and ECR 360 Certification](https://www.rochemartin.com/webinar-emotional-intelligence-certification) [Mastering EQ Level 1 and Level 2](https://www.rochemartin.com/webinar-emotional-intelligence-mastering-eq-level-1-and-2) [ECR, ECR 360 & Mastering EQ Level 1 & Level 2](https://www.rochemartin.com/webinar-ecr-and-ecr-360-and-mastering-eq-level-1-and-2-certification) USE CASES Emotional Intelligence Use Cases [Business and HR Leaders](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-organisations) [Coaches and Consultants](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-coaches-consultants) [Education](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-education) [Sport](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-sports) [Individuals](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-individuals) ABOUT US [About RocheMartin](https://www.rochemartin.com/about) [What is Emotional Capital?](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-capital) [Why Partner With Us?](https://www.rochemartin.com/partnerships) [Partner Directory](https://www.rochemartin.com/cp-directory) RESOURCES [Resources Overview](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources) [Emotional Intelligence Blog](https://www.rochemartin.com/blog) [Emotional Intelligence Case Studies](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources/case-studies) [Emotional Intelligence Videos](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources/videos) [Emotional Intelligence Podcasts](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources/podcasts) [Emotional Intelligence Books](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-books) [CONTACT US](https://www.rochemartin.com/contact-us) [LOG IN](https://www.rochemartingroup.com/welcome) [![arrow-overview](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg) Emotional Intelligence Assessments Overview Learn about our range of Emotional Capital Reports (ECR) - the world's most advanced assessments for measuring Emotional Intelligence. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-assessments) [![assess01](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/assess01.svg) ECR Self Measure EQ skills against the world's top performing leaders with the ECR Self. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-capital-report) [![assess02](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/assess02.svg) ECR 360 Run comprehensive 360° Emotional Intelligence assessments with the ECR 360. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/ecr-360-report) [![assess06](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/assess06.svg) ECR Teams Equip your team with the skills needed to boost business performance with the ECR Teams. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/ecr-teams) [![assess05](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/assess05.svg) ECR Youth Enhance the Emotional Intelligence of young people with the ECR Youth. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-young-people) [![assess04](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/assess04.svg) ESi Build a winning mindset with the Emotional Intelligence Sport Inventory. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-sports-inventory) [![the-ECR_image](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/the-ECR_image.jpg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/DL%20-%20Sales%20Collateral/Sales%20Brochures/ECR%20Sales%20Brochure%202024.pdf) [Ready to learn about our Emotional Capital Reports? 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Get your copy of our guide to find out how. ![](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-leadership-development-programme-guide) [![training03](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/training03.svg) Executive Coaching Programme Discover our tailored executive coaching solutions for developing and enhancing leadership skills. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/executive-coaching-services) [![assess01](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/assess01.svg) Dr Martyn AI The worlds leading on authority on Emotional Intelligence 24/7 ](https://www.rochemartin.com/drmartynaicoach) [![RM Quote post 1 ](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/RM%20Quote%20post%201%20.png)](https://www.rochemartin.com/blog/top-5-strategies-for-developing-leadership-optimism#) [Have an overview of all our Emotional Intelligence assessments ![](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/blog/top-5-strategies-for-developing-leadership-optimism#) [![arrow-overview](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg) Emotional Intelligence Certification Overview Learn about the different ways you can become a certified Emotional Intelligence practitioner with RocheMartin's training courses. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-certification) [![certif01](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/certif01.svg) ECR and ECR 360 Certification Discover our 4 session webinar-based Emotional Intelligence certification training. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/webinar-emotional-intelligence-certification) [![certif03](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/certif03.svg) Mastering EQ Level 1 and Level 2 Equip yourself with the skills you need to deliver structured Emotional Intelligence workshops with the ECR. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/webinar-emotional-intelligence-mastering-eq-level-1-and-2) [![certif02](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/certif02.svg) ECR, ECR 360 & Mastering EQ Level 1 & Level 2 Learn about our 8 session fully comprehensive webinar-based Emotional Intelligence certification. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/webinar-ecr-and-ecr-360-and-mastering-eq-level-1-and-2-certification) [![Grow_yourbusiness](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/Grow_yourbusiness.jpg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-coaching-guide) [Looking for ways to grow your coaching business? Learn how Emotional Intelligence coaching can be the differentiator in a crowded market. ![](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-coaching-guide) Emotional Intelligence Use Cases Discover the many different ways Emotional Intelligence can be used to improve performance and well-being. [![usecase01](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/usecase01.svg) Business and HR Leaders Build an emotionally intelligent organisation with RocheMartin's EQ training solutions. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-organisations) [![usecase02](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/usecase02.svg) Coaches and Consultants Help clients achieve long-term success with Emotional Intelligence coaching. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-coaches-consultants) [![usecase05](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/usecase05.svg) Education Cultivate Emotional Intelligence throughout the educational journey. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-education) [![usecase04](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/usecase04.svg) Sport Harness the pressure of elite sports with Emotional Intelligence. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-sports) [![usecase06](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/usecase06.svg) Individuals Learn how to boost your own Emotional Intelligence skills and perform at your peak. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-individuals) [![RM Quote post 1 ](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/RM%20Quote%20post%201%20.png)](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-coaches-consultants) [Discover the different ways coaches and consultants can use Emotional Intelligence with clients. ![](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-coaches-consultants) [![about01](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/about01.svg) About RocheMartin Meet our team and discover how we became global pioneers in the field of Emotional Intelligence. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/about) [![emotional capital icon](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/about02.svg) What is Emotional Capital? 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Get your copy. ![](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/leadership-challenges-guide) [![arrow-overview](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg) Resources Overview Browse our library of blogs, videos and case studies covering Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Development. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources) [![resources01](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/resources01.svg) Emotional Intelligence Blog Read our latest insights and thoughts from the world of Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Development. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/blog) [![training02](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/training02.svg) Emotional Intelligence Case Studies Learn how our EQ solutions are being used successfully by organisations and coaches around the world. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources/case-studies) [![resources03](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/resources03.svg) Emotional Intelligence Videos Watch our latest videos and blogs featuring some of the world's most influential EQ experts. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources/videos) [![resources04](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/resources04.svg) Emotional Intelligence Podcasts Dr Martyn Newman discusses the importance of Emotional Intelligence in personal and professional life in our podcasts. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/resources/podcasts) [![training07](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/training07.svg) Emotional Intelligence Books Discover our world-class educational books. ](https://www.rochemartin.com/emotional-intelligence-books) [![case-study2](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/case-study2.jpg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/sky-better-business-emotional-capital) [Read our case study to find out how Sky's culture changed for the better due to our Emotional Intelligence training. ![](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/_2022/nav-icons/arrow-overview.svg)](https://www.rochemartin.com/sky-better-business-emotional-capital) ![Top 5 Strategies for Developing Leadership Optimism](https://www.rochemartin.com/hubfs/iStock-1319874303-min%20(1).jpg) Sep 07 2019 | Tags: [Leadership Development](https://www.rochemartin.com/blog/tag/leadership-development), [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.rochemartin.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) # Top 5 Strategies for Developing Leadership Optimism Optimism is perhaps the most important quality you can develop to achieve greater success as a leader. Generating scores almost one standard deviation above the average in all of our leadership studies, optimism differentiates high performing leaders from the rest. Emotional Capitalists look on the brighter side of life and sense opportunities even in the face of adversity. The brain’s expectation system releases a sense of anticipation as soon as we set a goal, and we experience triumph when we reach it. Thus, optimistic activity of this kind almost always leads to positive feelings. Optimistic people are also resilient. They often have a history of significant failures, losses and bitter disappointments but display a remarkable ability to bounce back. But if we give in to negative emotions, like disappointment or sadness, we not only fail to ease them, we reinforce them. Repeated emotions- like joy or sadness- act like drops of water on a rock. Each one evaporates quickly, but over time many drops carve out a channel. Fortunately, it is not only negative emotions that can become entrenched with regular use- optimism, too can become a habit. ## Five Strategies 1. Look for the benefit in every situation 2. Seek the valuable lesson in every problem or difficulty – remember there are no mistakes, only lessons 3. Focus on the task to be accomplished rather than your negative emotions, such as disappointment or fear, and see the possibilities within the task 4. View success and happiness as your normal state and see negative elements as temporary glitches on the path to your inevitable progress 5. Decatastrophise and ask yourself: ‘What’s the worst thing that could happen, and can I live with it?’ Then focus on doing everything you can to minimise the fallout. 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