Leaders have the obligation of optimism.

Scott Osman, CEO at 100 Coaches Agency, shared an article on LinkedIn that rattled me a while back.

I had a visceral reaction to his language.

Osman wrote, "Leaders have the obligation of optimism." He intended this to mean that in times of great uncertainty and volatility, leaders must see, propose, and act on a way forward.

I get it - and I believe my leadership coaching clients mostly echo his sentiment.

Yet, despite the wealth of resources at our disposal—articles, videos, and training on supporting their teams, the real challenge often lies within themselves.

In times like those we live in right now, some leaders quietly and privately express feelings of depletion, aimlessness, and concern for the future.

It's a stark reminder that the weight of leadership is heavy, and the mantle of optimism can be a difficult one to bear.

I agree with Osman that leaders do have an obligation to inspire and don't have the "luxury of pessimism".

But, what if the person feeling the strain is the leader? This doesn't discount the fact that leaders, too, are entitled to their moments of vulnerability.

The key lies in what we do with those feelings and how we don't let them linger longer than necessary.

Sue Varma MD’s book, Practical Optimism shows how leaders can diminsh feelings of stress and hopelessness and increase their overall well-being. Varma worked directly with civilian and first-responder survivors in the aftermath of 9/11.

International research, such as that cited by Varma (and from her experience) illustrates how optimists are not simply ‘happier’ but also physically healthier. It’s not about wearing rose-coloured glasses all the time, or dismissing negative events or emotions. It’s not toxic positivity.

Rather, practical optimists use their inner resources to help them navigate difficulties.

These are the leaders who take responsibility for guiding teams through challenging times. They don’t hide from things or sugar-coat.

These leaders embrace their role as the Chief Optimism Officer, and treat themselves with the care and attention they know they deserve.

If this is you right now, and you’re doing it tough as a leader, remember, you are not alone in this.

To help maintain a positive perspective, consider these tips:

• Limit your exposure to social media and the non-stop news cycle.

• Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can't.

• Plan for regular downtime to rest and rejuvenate.

• Take care of your physical health, ensuring plenty of sleep and daily fun.

• Spend time in nature to refresh your spirit.

• Consider having an experienced leadership coach or mentor in your corner, to help you see past the pessimism and look through an optimistic lens.

Let me know what works best for you-and if you'd like to make time to talk, you can reach me here.