Choosing Positivity in a World of Negativity

 

We live in a world where negativity dominates. Our brains are wired with a negativity bias because, for survival, it's important to be aware of threats. That’s why bad news sells—it grabs our attention. But as leaders, we must make a conscious choice to focus on the positive, especially in challenging times. Gratitude is not just a feeling; it’s an intentional practice that helps shift our focus from problems to possibilities. When we lead with gratitude, we inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of positivity.

Leaders Take Action

Great leaders don’t have all the answers, but they have a bias toward action. They see challenges before others do, but instead of getting stuck in uncertainty, they start moving forward. Not moving will never solve the issue. When faced with difficulties, a leader's role is to say, "I don’t know exactly how we’re going to get through this, but I know we must keep moving." Taking the first step can be the most powerful part of leadership.

A New Normal Needs a New You

The world is always changing, and when we are forced outside our comfort zone, we have a choice—go back to old habits or embrace the new. If we are stepping into a "new normal," we should also step into a "new me." That might mean prioritizing differently, giving more time to family and neighbors, or intentionally staying out of our comfort zones for a while. True growth comes when we embrace change and allow ourselves to be shaped by it.

Hope vs. Hype: The Stockdale Paradox

Admiral James Stockdale, a prisoner of war for over seven years, observed something critical about survival. Those who clung to blind optimism—"we’ll be rescued by Christmas"—often lost hope when their expectations weren’t met. The ones who survived had faith that, no matter how long it took, they would make it. Leadership is about having that same unwavering belief—not just hyping people up with empty promises, but grounding them in resilience and real hope.

Valuing Others: The Heart of Leadership

A true leader values people—not for what they can get from them, but because every person has worth. John C. Maxwell said that ethics are not situational—if you have ethics, they work in business, family, and the community. The Golden Rule, present in every culture, teaches us to treat others as we want to be treated. If we just followed this simple rule, our communities would be transformed. Leadership is not about manipulating people to get what you want; it’s about guiding people toward what is best for them.

What are you doing to add value to others? Are you listening? Are you intentionally investing in those around you? Leading with gratitude means recognizing the hidden gems in your life—your neighbors, coworkers, and friends—and making the choice to listen and care.

Crisis Leadership: Leading Above the Noise

In a crisis, a leader’s voice should be different from the crowd. Fear divides people, and emotions under stress can bring out the worst in us. A leader does not add to the noise; they rise above it. They acknowledge the pain, listen to concerns, and then offer hope and a plan. During tough times, people don’t just need another person panicking with them—they need someone who sees a way forward.

Generosity as a Way of Life

Generosity has nothing to do with how much money you have—it’s about your mindset. A generous person constantly sows seeds, not worrying about when the harvest will come. Some people look for rewards without ever planting anything, but generosity begets generosity.

The best advice? Give while you are living so you can know where it’s going. Don’t keep score—give because you believe in people and want to add value to their lives. Are you adding life to those around you, or are you draining them? If you lead with gratitude and generosity, you won’t just change others—you’ll change yourself.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via emal at dburton541@yahoo.com.

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