You had a fantastic idea to improve your Employee Relations in your company and it required your manager’s approval to implement. You knew the idea made sense logically, logistically, practically and economically. The idea was best explained in the form a PPT (PowerPoint – HR’s favorite tool!) which you did prepare well into the wee hours of the morning. After all, sleep wasn’t a priority over your idea! All set to give the presentation to your team and your reporting manager during the course of the day.
The presentation went well enough to have everyone’s attention. The team felt it was an idea that could change the HR Outlook (we still believe in ourselves!) within the company. This could bring more credibility to work that gets done on a day-to-day basis. You take in all the applause and then turn to your manager (who was sitting silently through all the excitement) waiting to see an approval nod. All you cared for then, was your manager’s consent and support to implement. He said NO! The idea was not possible to implement, it could have negative repercussions, the idea could back-fire, it’s NOT ‘tried & tested’ before! How could that ever happen if the idea was new?
This is a very common situation both in personal life and at work. You see being a pessimist is easier, because it gives people the chance to say the magical words - ‘I TOLD YOU SO!’
Pessimism is like a ‘virus’ that can spread easily. Over a course of time, it can consume even the most courageous ‘positive-thinkers’, make them weak and disillusioned. It’s dangerous to go down that path.
On the other hand, ‘Optimism’ is a lot tougher to understand. It’s a feeling, an emotion, a thought – which makes you believe that things can change! It tells you that YOU can make that change happen! It requires courage to take on ‘Pessimists’ and Only-The-Strong-Survive!Optimism can be additive and it’s definitely a good addiction!
So the next time, you hear someone say ‘I told you so’ – don’t bother! The very same people will be singing your praises when you make things happen! After all, you don’t lose much when you are a pessimist – you only lose hope, courage and belief in yourself!
- The HR Store
