Be the Townie of Your Team

Leading Edge from Aegis Learning

The Importance of Optimism in Leadership

“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”

Colin Powell

I’m a huge Adam Sandler fan, and one of my favorite movies is “The Waterboy”.  You remember the movie.  Sandler plays a character named Bobby Boucher, a socially inept (but also intelligent and driven) fellow whose dream is fulfilled when he becomes the water boy for a university football team.

Bobby encounters a lot of ridicule in his new job. Even his mama is not a fan, constantly informing him about the evils of “foosball”.  But water is his passion and he continues to strive to be the best… refilling water kegs with fresh water and constantly testing the alkaline levels.

Poor Bobby has very few fans in his corner, save for his girlfriend and one other person: Townie. Townie is featured through the movie, constantly supporting Bobby by repeating one line: “YOU CAN DO IT!!!!”  At first, Bobby seems to be surprised to have a supporter, but as the movie goes on he actually seems to rely on Townie’s pep talks.  Bobby ultimately triumphs and becomes a “foosball” player, marries his girlfriend, and saves the day (I love a happy ending!).

Good leaders are the “Townie” of their team…the optimist and the unwavering supporter who is there through the tough times.  Optimism is defined as “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something”.  Optimism, in fact, is one of the best behaviors a leader can display and cultivate.

There will be many times that a team will become discouraged.  There may not seem to be an end in sight to a project, or support and faith may be wavering.  You, as a leader, may even have moments when you feel that way (on the inside)…but, as the commercial slogan goes, “Never Let Them See You Sweat!”.  It is during these dark times that optimism in leadership is not only important.  It is REQUIRED. Your team needs to know they have you in your corner, and that you believe in them even when they don’t.

But don’t confuse “optimism” with “always having the answer”.  You aren’t going to have the answer for everything, and that is ok.  What you do need to have is belief and support in your team, and to convey and instill that. Be the Townie of your team…provide your unwavering support and let them know they can do it! Having a Townie on the team may make all the difference.  It did to Bobby Boucher.

Polly Walker is a talented facilitator, coach and expert in process improvement.  As the chief innovation officer for Aegis Learning, Polly produces many of the new ideas and creative solutions for workplace learning programs and their delivery.

Ms. Walker has two master’s degrees and has worked with some of the biggest client projects for Aegis Learning.  She is also our Townie and constantly optimistic.

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