Can being an optimist help you grow your business?
In the competitive business environment of today, workplace optimism is deemed as a competitive advantage. Related to positive thinking and the expectancy that organizational objectives not only can, but will be met, workplace optimism provides organizational members with the motivation to increase their efforts and realize their goals. In this context, workplace optimism leads to enhanced organizational performance and business growth.
Optimism as a way of life
Studies show that optimistic individuals are more likely to succeed in their lives because they are able to see more opportunities or turn problems into opportunities and exploit difficult situations, turning them into profitable prospects. This happens because having an optimistic view on life eliminates the probability of distress or depression and increases the likelihood of life satisfaction. Besides, optimistic individuals are less likely to procrastinate or continue living in circles. They typically put problems behind and move on with their lives until a new problem comes along. In general, being an optimist is a conscious choice that eliminates apathy and instills hope and stimulation for a better, brighter future.
Why optimists are more successful entrepreneurs
Given that optimists are naturally inclined to achieve their goals, it becomes self-explanatory why, in the business environment, optimistic organizational members are more likely to meet corporate goals. Because optimism is an attitude, the impact of positive attitude on productivity and organizational performance is immense. Studies show that optimists are dramatically more likely to achieve their financial goals than pessimists. By having a higher level of physical and mental functioning, optimists know how to create opportunities; they don't just wait for opportunities to appear.
Moreover, optimists are more effective in sales and less likely to quit their job in spite of potential ups and downs in profitability. This is explained by the fact that optimists are patient, evaluate reality based on facts, and their judgment is affected by realism rather than by emotionality. As such, optimists stand significantly higher probabilities of being successful in their business because they know exactly what the facts are at any given time and are able to use these facts toward their best interest.
Workplace optimism and productivity
Workplace optimism has been thoroughly examined by various scholars and researchers to discover the impact of positive attitude on productivity and organizational performance.
Studies show that workplace optimism, goal setting and organizational achievement are positively correlated because organizational members who think positively are focused on their goals and motivated to achieve them. This happens because optimists experience less stressful conditions in the workplace than pessimists. Their optimistic view helps them anticipate workload successfully and deal with work stress effectively without compromising work quality. In this context, optimistic organizational members are less likely to under-perform. Moreover, workplace optimism is positively correlated to effective managerial decision-making, low employee turnover and increased profitability.
Other studies show that optimistic employees are dedicated employees because they are more energetic and motivated. This results in enhanced organizational performance because employee satisfaction and efficiency are positively correlated. The quality of work of optimistic organizational members is better than that of pessimists because optimists aren't forced to do their job; they do them naturally, taking pleasure out of their work and believing their efforts will compensate them and their organization.
Finally, in most of cases, optimists feel a higher level of responsibility to meet organizational goals. Seeing their job as a natural extension of their being, optimists are able to over-perform and give 100 percent of their skills to boost productivity and bring organizational performance to a higher lever.
Organizations that aim to achieve a sustained competitive advantage need to hire, but mostly retain, optimistic employees. Optimistic managers have a positive impact on their subordinates and motivate them to focus on innovation and creativity. Optimistic employees have a positive impact on their teammates by motivating them to give the best of their abilities for organizational success. All organizational members together, acting under optimistic consensus, are able to build sales momentum and generate business growth through the creation of positive organizational relationships that have a positive impact on customers as well.
