Want to know how positive leadership can transform an organization? Intrigued by how luminaries like Bob Iger, Donna Orender, and Alan Mulally harness the power of optimism to drive success? Curious about how belief and positivity can turn around dire situations and foster monumental success? Discover how fostering unity, addressing negativity, and maintaining a relentless pursuit of excellence can result in extraordinary achievements.

The Power of Positive Leadership

Growing up in a Jewish-Italian family in Long Island, New York, Jon Gordon, the author, was surrounded by love but also a fair share of negativity. His dad, a New York City police officer, often greeted his cheerful "Good morning" with a gruff "What's so good about it?" By age 31, Gordon had become a stressed, negative husband and father. His wife gave him an ultimatum: change or risk their marriage.

Determined to change, Gordon explored the emerging field of positive psychology. He met Ken Blanchard and began practicing gratitude through daily "thank you" walks, which transformed his outlook. Inspired, he wrote "The Energy Bus," a story about George, a man much like himself, learning to overcome negativity with the help of Joy, a bus driver who teaches him ten life-changing rules.

Since then, Gordon has worked with Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, schools, and nonprofits, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of positive leadership. His daughter’s college essay captured it perfectly: watching him change inspired her to believe that if one person can change, the world can too.

Positive leadership isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges; it's about facing them with resilience and optimism. Research by Manju Puri, David Robinson, Martin Seligman, Barbara Fredrickson, and others shows that optimism leads to better work performance, higher pay, and stronger relationships. Teams with a higher ratio of positive interactions are more productive, and positive leaders energize those around them, attracting talent and fostering innovation.

Negativity costs the economy billions, but positivity offers a competitive edge. Optimists create self-fulfilling prophecies through their belief in a positive future, which drives them to work harder and achieve more. Positive leaders unite their teams, transform negativity, and build strong, connected organizations.

In the ideas ahead, we will explore Gordon's framework to harness the power of positive leadership. By believing in your principles, your people, and the future, you can lead with optimism, overcome adversity, and ultimately, change the world. Start today and see how positivity not only makes you better but also uplifts everyone around you.

Can Embracing Positive Leadership Transform Your Life and the World Around You?

Culture is everything in an organization, and positive leaders drive positive cultures. The journey of two school principals illustrates this: one principal transformed her school's morale by actively engaging with her staff using the principles from "The Energy Bus," while another saw no change by just handing out the book. This shows that leaders must actively drive culture, not just provide tools.

Nancy Koeper of UPS and Alan Mulally of Ford exemplify how prioritizing culture can lead to remarkable results. Nancy's focus on positive interactions improved morale and performance, while Alan's "One Ford" culture turned the company from near-bankruptcy to profitability. Similarly, Apple's success is deeply rooted in its culture of challenging the status quo, a principle that outlives Steve Jobs and guides their strategy.

Rick Hendrick’s Hendrick Automotive Group and Motorsports thrive on a culture of humility, teamwork, and a passion for winning. Hendrick's leadership ethos of servant leadership and integrity is the foundation for their success, proving that culture fuels and drives performance.

Your culture reflects your values and vision. Southwest Airlines' decision to not charge for checked baggage, despite industry trends, reinforced their commitment to low-cost, customer-friendly travel, boosting their market share. This shows that culture-driven decisions lead to positive outcomes.

Positive leaders must embody and broadcast their culture, as shown by research from the HeartMath Institute and Harvard University, which highlights how a leader's energy and emotions are contagious. Winston Churchill's youthful vigor during WWII and Coach Mike Krzyzewski's use of West Point's atmosphere to inspire Team USA demonstrate that leaders who live their culture can profoundly impact their teams.

Investing in culture is like nurturing the root of a tree; it requires constant effort but yields lasting results. Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons learned this the hard way when a shift from a process-focused culture to outcome-centric thinking led to a decline in performance.

To build a resilient culture, leaders must be relentless, as shown by Kyle Stark of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who fights daily to maintain a strong organizational culture. Dabo Swinney's vision for Clemson football, which led to a national championship, underscores the power of a clear, compelling vision and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Positive leaders also know how to keep their vision alive. Whether it's marathon runners who push through the 20th mile or leaders who inspire their teams after setbacks, the ability to maintain and communicate a vision is crucial. Practical steps, like engaging team members in understanding and contributing to the vision, can bring it to life.

In essence, positive leaders drive positive cultures by living and sharing their vision, making culture a priority, and relentlessly nurturing it to achieve extraordinary results.

Driving Success: The Power of Positive Leadership and Organizational Culture

Optimism is a leader's most important trait, as Disney CEO Bob Iger suggests. Leaders like Rick Hendrick and Donna Orender harness optimism to drive monumental success. Hendrick built a thriving automotive and racing empire, while Orender transformed the PGA Tour and the WNBA by cultivating optimism and belief within her teams.

Marva Collins, a pioneer in education, started her own school in a disadvantaged Chicago neighborhood, teaching children labeled as "learning disabled" to excel. She instilled belief and optimism in her students, leading many to successful careers.

Belief precedes achievement. William Bratton, NYC police commissioner, and Doug Conant, CEO of Campbell Soup, both turned around dire situations by prioritizing optimism and belief. Bratton fired leaders who didn't believe crime could be reduced, while Conant replaced doubters with believers, sparking remarkable turnarounds.

Optimism isn't innate for everyone. Dr. James Gills, who completed six double triathlons, emphasized talking to oneself positively instead of listening to negative thoughts. Feeding the "positive dog" within, as illustrated in the book "The Positive Dog," nurtures a positive mindset.

Perspective shapes reality. Major League Baseball players often view the game as one of failure, but it can be seen as a game of opportunity. This mindset shift applies to life: adversity can lead to growth and success. Telling a positive story about our experiences influences our actions and outcomes.

Leadership is about transferring belief. Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks and Silicon Valley innovators exemplify this by fostering environments where optimism thrives. Leaders like Alan Mulally of Ford and Dabo Swinney of Clemson inspire their teams to persist through challenges with faith and optimism.

Ultimately, positive leadership means leading with faith in a world filled with fear and negativity. Great leaders like Mulally and Swinney demonstrate unwavering belief in their teams and plans, guiding them to success despite adversity.

Positive leadership isn't just about being positive; it's also about addressing negativity. Leaders must confront, transform, or remove negativity to prevent it from sabotaging their teams. Every leader, from football coaches like Mark Richt and Butch Jones to business leaders like Shawn Eichhorst, faces this challenge.

Leaders must first attempt to transform negativity by understanding and empathizing with those exhibiting it. If transformation fails, removal may be necessary to protect the team's culture and mission. The "No Complaining Rule," introduced by Dwight Cooper, is a practical tool for turning complaints into solutions, fostering a positive culture.

Michael Phelps exemplified this approach with the U.S. Olympic swim team, emphasizing positivity as a key to success. Positivity enhances team connection and performance, leading to greater achievements.

However, leaders must handle negativity positively. Labeling dissenters as energy vampires or bulldozing over them with the "bus" metaphor can backfire. True positive leadership involves building relationships and being a model of positivity.

In short, positive leaders harness optimism, confront and transform negativity, and cultivate a culture where belief and positivity thrive. This approach not only fosters success but also empowers teams to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

Can Optimism and Positivity be the Secret Weapons to Unprecedented Leadership Success?

In the world of leadership, the secret to creating exceptional teams lies in unity and connection. Alan Mulally's tenure as CEO of Ford is a prime example of this. When Mulally took over, Ford was fragmented into regional silos. He introduced the "One Ford" plan, uniting the company under a single vision. By fostering trust, transparency, and a strong sense of purpose, he transformed Ford into a cohesive team capable of achieving what many deemed impossible.

Sports teams illustrate this principle vividly. Coaches often struggle with players focused on individual goals rather than team success. However, when teams prioritize connection, individual silos dissolve, and a united front emerges. The Florida Gators under Coach Billy Donovan exemplify this. By focusing on connection, Donovan's team overcame more talented opponents to reach the Final Four, proving that united teams outshine individual talent.

Connection extends beyond sports. In schools, businesses, and even hospitals, the most successful leaders are those who foster deep, meaningful relationships. At Mercy Hospital, a connected leadership team drove exceptional performance, demonstrating the power of unity.

Positive leaders must also counteract the "disease of me," where individual agendas overshadow team goals. This is prevalent in many environments, from college sports to corporate offices. By nurturing connections through shared experiences and personal stories, leaders can transform "me" into "we."

Billy Donovan's relentless pursuit of connection with his players showcases how unity leads to success. His efforts culminated in the Florida Gators becoming a bonded family, outperforming more individually talented teams.

Leadership is not just about direction; it's about collaboration and facilitation. Alan Mulally's collaborative approach during Ford's Business Plan Review meetings illustrates this. Great leaders don't claim to have all the answers but facilitate discussions that lead to collective solutions.

In essence, positive leadership is about making time for connection, fostering unity, and serving others. When leaders prioritize these values, they create strong, resilient teams capable of extraordinary achievements. So, let's strive to be those positive leaders who unite, connect, and transform our teams and organizations.

Unified Leadership: The Power of Connection and Collaboration in Transforming Teams

Positive leadership isn't just about choosing between optimism and winning; it's about blending the two to achieve excellence. Positive leaders constantly strive to improve themselves, their teams, and their organizations. They wake up each day asking, "How can I get better to make the world better?" This relentless pursuit of excellence sets higher standards for everyone around them.

Positive leaders are lifelong learners, always seeking to grow. Matt Ryan, the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, exemplifies this trait. Despite a $100 million contract, he still sits in the front row during training sessions, eager to glean any piece of wisdom that can make him a better leader.

George Raveling, Hall of Fame college basketball coach turned Nike executive at 62, demonstrates that there's always more to learn. Even at 80, he reads 50 books a year and continually asks, "What do I need to know that I don't know?" His philosophy echoes Nike's tagline: "There is no finish line."

Positive leaders challenge their teams but also support them. Alan Mulally, who turned around Ford, had high expectations but provided the tools and encouragement to meet those goals. Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks fosters a competitive yet fun culture, believing that competition drives improvement.

Great leaders like Dabo Swinney of Clemson University balance love with accountability. Dabo's discipline, even sidelining a star player for rule violations, emphasizes that values and standards must be upheld. His commitment to these principles helped Clemson achieve national success.

Positive leaders like Buzz Williams at Virginia Tech earn the right to push their teams by investing in them first. This "love tough" approach ensures that players know their leaders care deeply, enabling them to accept challenges that push them beyond their comfort zones.

Positive leaders help their teams become craftsmen, not mere carpenters. Craftsmen care deeply about their work, investing time and energy to create masterpieces. Steve Jobs, for example, learned from his father to care about every detail, even those unseen. This principle of craftsmanship permeated Apple, leading to products that inspire loyalty and passion.

To achieve excellence, positive leaders and their teams adopt the One Percent Rule: give one percent more effort, energy, and focus each day. This incremental improvement compounds over time, leading to substantial growth and success.

Excellence requires both clarity and action. Alan Mulally’s simplified management system at Ford provided clear goals and processes that everyone could understand and follow. This clarity enabled focused action, producing remarkable results.

Ultimately, positive leaders transform their quest for excellence into a better future for all through love, accountability, clarity, and relentless action.

Can Blending Optimism and Pursuit of Excellence Make You a Successful Leader Like Matt Ryan and Steve Jobs?

Burnout is not a result of what we do but rather forgetting why we do it. Purpose is the driving force that helps leaders overcome challenges, maintain positivity, and inspire their teams.

For instance, Donna Orender's transformation of the PGA Tour and WNBA was fueled by her greater purpose, sustaining her motivation through tough times. Alan Mulally's revival of Ford wasn't just about operational efficiency but about reigniting the company's founding purpose of making transportation accessible to all, a mission that rallied everyone around a common goal.

The concept of purpose is further exemplified by various individuals who found deeper meaning in their work. A mortgage broker saw her mission as saving marriages by helping families keep their homes during the recession. A janitor at NASA believed his purpose was contributing to the moon landing. These examples illustrate how finding a bigger purpose can transform ordinary jobs into extraordinary missions.

The author encourages leaders to share their vision and purpose with their teams, much like Steve Jobs did at Apple and the Pittsburgh Pirates do with their players. This shared purpose inspires individuals to see their work as part of a larger mission. Purpose-driven goals, as opposed to purely numerical ones, are shown to be more sustainable and fulfilling. This is evident in the success of Organic Valley, which focuses on sustainable farming and providing healthy products rather than just sales numbers.

One practical approach to living purposefully is choosing a "word for the year." This word acts as a guiding principle, helping individuals and teams stay focused on their mission. Leaders are also encouraged to identify their "Life Word," a concept that encapsulates their ultimate legacy.

In essence, purpose is the fuel that keeps leaders and their teams energized and focused, turning everyday tasks into meaningful missions that leave a lasting impact.

Leading with Purpose: Transforming Ordinary Jobs into Extraordinary Missions

The key predictor of success isn’t talent, title, or wealth; it’s grit. Angela Duckworth’s research at the University of Pennsylvania highlights grit as the ability to persevere through adversity towards long-term goals. Positive leaders embody this quality, navigating setbacks to reach their visions. 

Take Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour, who started selling one high-performance t-shirt from his grandmother’s basement, or Sara Blakely, who endured countless rejections before Spanx revolutionized the undergarment industry. Grit kept them moving forward.

Similarly, Starbucks took 13 years to open its fifth store, and John Wooden didn’t win his first national title until his 16th season at UCLA. Dabo Swinney faced early struggles with Clemson but eventually led them to a championship. These stories show that long-term success is built on perseverance.

Love for what you do is vital. It conquers fear and sustains effort. For instance, an NFL kicker regained his form by focusing on his love for the game, not the fear of failure. Embracing failure as part of the journey is essential. George Washington lost many battles but won the Revolutionary War, and Oprah was deemed unfit for TV before becoming a media mogul.

Trusting the process and ignoring critics is crucial. Positive leaders like David Cutcliffe at Duke maintained faith in their methods even during tough times. Leadership is not about avoiding criticism but about persisting despite it. Social media may amplify critics, but true leaders focus on their mission.

Sometimes, positive leadership means leaving the old behind. Niki Spears left her principal job to spread the Energy Bus message in schools, and Scott Harrison transitioned from nightclub promoter to founder of Charity Water, providing millions with clean drinking water.

This is your time to make a difference. Despite challenges, you can be a positive force. Alan Mulally saw fun in turning around Ford, and Austin Hatch, who survived two plane crashes, chose to be a miracle for others.

Your decision to lead positively impacts not just you but everyone around you. Nick, an insurance worker, transformed his family dynamics and career by adopting a positive attitude. Your influence as a positive leader will ripple out, changing lives and shaping a better world.

So, fuel up with optimism, persist through adversity, and believe in the impossible. True grit leads to true success.

Does True Grit Determine Success More Than Talent or Wealth?

Research supports that optimism enhances performance, pays off financially, and strengthens relationships. Positive leaders create productive teams by fostering a culture of positivity, which not only boosts morale but also attracts talent and drives innovation.

Culture is a cornerstone of any organization, and it’s the leaders who actively shape and sustain it. Successful leaders like Nancy Koeper of UPS and Alan Mulally of Ford demonstrate that prioritizing positive interactions and a unified vision can lead to remarkable achievements. Positive leaders embody and propagate their culture, driving their teams towards collective success.

Optimism and belief are fundamental traits for positive leaders. This isn’t about ignoring challenges but about approaching them with resilience and a positive outlook. Leaders who inspire belief in their teams can turn around dire situations, as seen in the examples of William Bratton and Doug Conant. Feeding a positive mindset and maintaining a constructive perspective greatly influences outcomes.

Positive leadership also involves addressing negativity head-on. Transforming or removing negativity is crucial to protect the team’s culture and mission. Leaders like Michael Phelps have shown that positivity is key to team success. Handling negativity with empathy and understanding is essential to fostering a positive environment.

Connection is the backbone of thriving organizations. Leaders who prioritize unity and collaboration create strong, resilient teams. Examples from sports and business illustrate that a connected team can outperform more individually talented groups. Positive leadership is about making time for connection and transforming individual agendas into collective goals.

The pursuit of excellence is a hallmark of positive leaders. They blend optimism with a relentless drive to improve, setting higher standards for themselves and their teams. Lifelong learning, clarity, and action are central to achieving excellence. Balancing love with accountability ensures that teams not only meet high standards but also feel supported.

Purpose is the fuel that keeps leaders and their teams energized. It’s not about what we do but why we do it. Leaders who share their vision and purpose inspire their teams to see their work as part of a larger mission. Purpose-driven goals are more sustainable and fulfilling, transforming ordinary jobs into extraordinary missions.

Grit is the key predictor of success, more than talent or wealth. Perseverance through adversity towards long-term goals defines positive leaders. Stories of resilience from various industries demonstrate that true success is built on perseverance, fueled by vision, purpose, and love for what one does.

Ultimately, positive leadership is about making a difference. It’s about influencing not just your immediate surroundings but creating a ripple effect that can change the world. By leading with optimism, confronting adversity with resilience, and fostering a culture of connection and purpose, positive leaders can achieve extraordinary results and leave a lasting impact.

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The Power of Positive Leadership

Jon Gordon

8 Key ideas

21 MINS

4.7 (207)

Want to know how positive leadership can transform an organization?

Intrigued by how luminaries like Bob Iger, Donna Orender, and Alan Mulally harness the power of optimism to drive success?

Curious about how belief and positivity can turn around dire situations and foster monumental success?

Discover how fostering unity, addressing negativity, and maintaining a relentless pursuit of excellence can result in extraordinary achievements.

Key Ideas

#1