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When the most recent “recession” hit, I didn’t worry. And because it still looms, I continue to exercise the choice not to worry. Mainly because I learned not to fear the unknown. Moving forward without fear has become second nature to me.
As a leader, brand co-owner, and creative agency owner, I know fear is the last thing I need. Instead, I must be proactive and in line with this truth: even in a period of slowing economic growth, we will continue to find space for our business. I have to open every single door and window and what we need will come. He always does.
This is the power of positive energy in leadership.
Related: 8 Ways to Stay Positive No Matter What Happens Around You
How to lead with positive energy
Maintaining positive energy as a leader essentially means removing fear from the process. Fear blocks opportunities and isolates, while positive energy attracts on a quantum level. Both are a state of mind and a bodily response that we can influence with our choices and intentions.
When we lead with positive energy, it’s about not leading with the assumption that there is always a problem that threatens to overwhelm you; it’s about driving knowing that it’s always there, Always a solution.
But let’s be clear: it’s not about plastering fake smiles on our faces while the world collapses around us. I have come to understand that the power of realistic positive energy does not come from ignoring the challenges we face. It’s about recognizing them, accepting their existence, and then choosing to respond in a way that fosters growth and development. It’s about facing them with resilience, optimism and the belief that we can overcome them. It’s about leading with a mindset that promotes constructive, grounded optimism, a space where recognizing imperfections and failures is not a sign of weakness, but rather an opportunity to learn and improve.
For me, the way I live and lead with the power of positive energy means understanding that our journey is a continuous evolution, where every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to our growth. It means recognizing that difficult times are a natural part of life and can serve as stepping stones to something greater if we choose to approach them with the right mindset.
I won’t sugarcoat it. Leading with this perspective isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. There are moments of doubt and unexpected challenges that can test even the most positive attitudes. It’s during these times, though, that the power of constructive positivity can really help us move forward.
Related: How to Actually Be Your Most Positive Self
How to cultivate and maintain this mentality
Cultivating and maintaining this mindset takes time and intention. It requires finding your inner peace, moments of light, and a stable center to return to when things get turbulent.
Easier said than done, right? But try this: Remember a time and place when things seemed easy, when they flowed and you were content. Think back to how you felt in that moment – open, full of energy, happy, excited – and try to find that same feeling again. That feeling can be your foundation, a place of realization and understanding that opens you to the flow of positive energy.
For me, this process began using my own style of meditation and vibrational sound work, which included teaching myself to be in the moment and present to how I felt. Later, I learned to meditate in my sleep and maintain that state. From there, I was able to deeply relax, let go, and adjust to this mindset in my hours of consciousness. What I discovered then was that no matter the problem, fear, or worry, I had a solution and a more generative, open mindset the next morning. I entered the new day ready to move forward.
Today I don’t meditate often, but I continue to offer my body and mind deep sleep and rest. High-quality sleep continues to be a powerful energy reset for me. It’s a time when I can release what isn’t helpful, let the moving pieces of a problem shuffle and reorganize, and I trust that the answers will come.
Related: This simple but effective “positivity challenge” will completely change your mindset
Questions to ask yourself
What you need to find your stable center and lead with constructive positivity may look different. Here are some questions and suggestions that can help you tune into what will help you on this journey:
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What helps you access your intuition, allowing you to make your best choices?
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What activities, which might include things like sleeping, meditating, running, or even driving, bring forth your best ideas and solutions?
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Spend some time getting to know and understand all of your capabilities. What strengths and personal power can you access when you reach the deepest level? In other words, what brings you an abundance of energy and excitement?
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Discover your mistakes, so you can learn from them and learn from them. Then make a conscious effort to use those failures as fuel. When it feels like something new is falling apart, don’t be afraid to ask yourself: What’s the worst-case scenario? And then: what essential things are still preserved even then? Once you have reached some level of peace with this possibility, ask yourself: How can I draw on my intuition, creativity, wisdom from past experiences, and full capacity to avoid this and find a better solution?
Ultimately, the power of positive energy in leadership lies in its ability to inspire resilience, foster growth, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. It’s about recognizing that life isn’t perfect, that times are often difficult, and that there are many unknowns, but our response to these imperfections shapes our journey in profound ways.
By embracing the power of positive thinking, we can face difficult times with grace, learn from our experiences, and emerge as stronger, more empathetic leaders, ready to face whatever challenges come our way. Because, ultimately, the most powerful positivity isn’t about pretending that everything is fine. It’s about believing that no matter what happens, we have the strength to get through it.