Optimists and Pessimists

Amy Gallo wrote the article "How to Handle the Pessimist on Your Team" in the Harvard Business Review Blog back in 2009, but it's still a valuable article today.  I've seen many times how a single vocal pessimist can pull all of the energy out of a team, bringing creative thoughts to an abrupt end.  Gallo provides three strategies:

1. Create awareness
2. Reposition negative statements
3. Involve the whole team

Please read the article for her thoughtful ideas behind each of these steps.

I am normally quite optimistic, so when confronted with a pessimist, I often find myself getting frustrated.  While I want to make progress, the pessimist wants to hold me back.  When I want to solve a problem, the pessimist tells me my strategy won't work.  When I look on the bright side, the pessimist reminds me of the dark side.

The skeptic is a slight twist on the pessimist.  The skeptic has the "prove it to me" attitude.  Not only do I have to put energy into generating and fleshing out a new idea, I have to convince the skeptic, dragging me down.

Despite my frustration with the pessimists and skeptics in my life, I have learned to value some of what they bring to the table.  They force me to think through my proposals and to not jump to a solution too quickly.  They make me look at facets of a problem that I might not have considered.  They help me slow down and be more thoughtful.

So, to all of those pessimists and skeptics out there, and there are many of them in IT, I ask for a little balance.  I'll try harder to slow down, to listen to your concerns, and to craft better solutions to problems.  In return, I ask that you try to control the cynicism, help me use my creative energy well, and let in a few rays of sunshine.