A Rise In Pessimism. Five Suggestions From Our Research And My Life.
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Jun 12, 2025
Recent research highlights a concerning rise in workplace pessimism fueled by political, economic, and technological fears. The discussion offers five actionable strategies for leaders to foster optimism, including clear communication and a focus on organizational citizenship. Trust plays a crucial role in engendering employee morale, while growth opportunities are essential for engagement. The podcast also emphasizes the need for resilience through health, community, and ethical leadership. Overall, it underscores the importance of optimism in countering negativity and enhancing workplace culture.
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insights INSIGHT
Global Rise of Workplace Pessimism
Pessimism is surging among employees globally, especially Generation Z and certain industries like healthcare and government.
This reflects broader societal issues such as political unrest, economic instability, AI uncertainty, and social tensions.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Practice Realistic Optimism
Embrace realistic optimism by accepting uncontrollable events and focusing on positive long-term trends.
This mindset helps reduce pessimism by trusting in the unquenchable power of the human spirit in daily life.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Reduce Workplace Uncertainty
Reduce uncertainty at work by clearly communicating plans, priorities, and expectations.
Consistent messaging from leadership decreases stress and fosters employee optimism and productivity.
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The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked
Adam Alter
In 'Irresistible,' Adam Alter delves into the world of behavioral addiction, tracing the historical understanding of addiction and its expansion beyond substance abuse to include behaviors such as gaming, social media, and smartphone use. Alter explains how technology companies deliberately design products to be irresistible, using techniques like 'Ludic Loops' and 'gamification' to keep users engaged. The book also discusses the potential for these addictive technologies to have both positive and negative effects on our well-being and provides insights into how we can mitigate their damaging impacts[2][4][5].
New research shows a level of pessimism we haven’t seen in a long time. While there are many reasons for this (politics, climate, economy, AI fears), we all need to do something about it.
In this podcast I share the research and give you five important steps you can take to avoid, reduce, and eliminate pessimism at work. (Optimism, certainty, growth, citizenship, and empathy.)
This framework will give you sound information for your own life at work, your role as a leader, and your investments in leadership development and management coaching. I also talk about our research on Trust, and the role trust plays in employee optimism.
I also discuss “The Unquenchable Power of The Human Spirit,” an idea I discuss in Irresistible, which will help you move into an optimistic view of life, work, and business.
Takeaways
The rise of pessimism is a significant trend in the workforce. (64% on average)
Realistic optimism is possible in any situation.
We can reduce uncertainty through sound leadership.
It’s ok to accept things that you cannot change.
Citizenship as a company and individual creates positive energy.
Growth and development is fuel for positive thinking and engagement.
Health, sleep, exercise, nature, and relationships are your personal fuel.
The Josh Bersin Company 