Realistic Optimism is the balance between conveying the facts presented, while also communicating an assured path forward amid challenges faced within an organization.  Affective leaders show their realistic optimism in a variety of ways: providing an honest assessment of the current situation, balancing facts vs. emotions, conveying a sense of collective ownership, communicating effectively, and celebrating incremental successes.  This week’s podcast explores these key components and how they help empower an organization to meet challenges effectively.

Establishing a positive presence is a key component of Affective Leadership.  Affective leaders recognize the profound impact they make by what they say and do each day.  They focus on being visible and approachable, modeling quality interactions, exuding quiet confidence, projecting realistic optimism, and conveying capability.  This week’s podcast explores how these components help establish a positive presence in the workplace.

Affective leadership is all about working with people, not through them or around them.  It encourages employee input and enhances organizational output.  Affective leaders trigger long-term commitment from staff rather than simply short-term compliance.  Such long term commitment helps develop both the employee and the leader alike and sustains and strengthens the organization as a whole.