Reality-Based Optimism

One of the core behaviours of the NASA 4-Dimensional Leadership program is Reality-Based Optimism, which is defined as, ‘the courage to acknowledge uncomfortable truths and then choose the path that leads to the best possible version of the future.’

The first part of this entails finding the courage to face down current reality, even if it is daunting or disappointing. Acknowledging the ‘elephant in the room’ is a crucial starting point for real progress, because, without it, optimism becomes a Pollyannaish quality that ignores social or physical danger – turning up the music to drown out the smoke alarm.

Only once current reality has been embraced (and we have owned our own contribution to it, where appropriate) can we start moving from where we are towards a more optimistic version of the future. This application of optimism hinges on another NASA 4-D concept, which is red and green storylines. ‘Storylines’ are the stories we tell ourselves about reality, very little of which is objectively verifiable. If the future is essentially unknowable and subjective, then its best purpose is to motivate and energise ourselves, and others, to take actions that make a particular desired outcome more likely. In the absence of certainty, the most rational course of action is to acknowledge and ‘insure’ against potential risks, whilst actively pursuing the storyline that is most likely to lead to a great result.

When asked why he was so perennially upbeat, here is how the Dalai Lama responded … Read full Article