By nature, I have always been optimistic. This is one of the reasons why I have simply never refused a professional challenge.
How did I become a positivism enthusiast?
My basic ingredients:
- Being optimistic and energetic
- Loving people
- Naturally giving trust
My recipe:
I developed a sense of humor based on wordplay and quick wit, bringing rhythm, much like a permanent stand-up. All of this is governed by my love of words and fueled by my energy or hyperactivity, and a vital need to laugh. Life is too short to stay sad, and this part does not replay. So, I live and fully enjoy the present moment, and I do not rush too much towards the future. Why did I use the verb ‘try’? Bbecause I am still working on this part of my recipe, and I am lucky because I still have a lot of room for improvement, which will give me the opportunity to buy more books and discuss them with others.
I have learned to listen to others, be attentive to their emotions, sincerely care about them, and offer them time, without judgment, without counting. I am also utilizing the power of silence to create space and provide time for reflection. And this part of my transformation will always be a work in progress because my energy pushes me to move forward, and my heart tells me to slow down. My last coach helped me strike a better balance between these two forces.
Smiling, well, that’s just a search for efficiency. It takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown, so my lazy side encourages me to smile. And a particular advantage is that when you are smiling at work, it makes you more approachable to others. You lower a barrier that a title or age might create for some people.
The Result
I am always ready to listen, always ready to joke to lighten a situation, always looking for opportunities, and to reframe objections or blockages positively.
What I Discovered
Positivism is a tremendous force. It helps keep teams engaged during difficult phases, motivates, and brings people together. `
Some people might confuse positivism with naivety or think that you are deluding yourself. Your reaction to this? Do not judge them! When we face strong headwinds and cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, seeing someone smile or laugh might lead us to believe that this person is unaware of the current situation or is being disrespectful.
In such cases, learn to moderate your enthusiasm and your search for positivity. Leave room for silence so that speech can be freed, help others verbalize what they feel, and gently ask questions to help them express their concerns.
Positivism is the ability to see opportunities when one only sees obstacles and catastrophes. It is looking at a situation from different angles and seeing the one that will bring positivity. And this does not mean that one does not perceive the stakes and the impact on others. Therefore, your positivism will be a strength if you combine it with genuine interest and listening to others.
The Price to Pay for This Strength
One must know how to dose, how to vary, to avoid being perceived as the office clown. It is essential to maintain enough distance to have an impact and move projects forward. Positivism should not undermine your credibility to have deep and sincere discussions that allow you to fulfill your role. I have found myself trapped, as a reaction, where humor comes first. And I have observed that with certain personality types, this altered their perception of me, making them doubt my potential. Because let’s face it, who would want a stand-up expert and a good punster in client meetings? Therefore, you must know how to balance seriousness with laughter and smiles.
One cannot smile all the time, and when difficult moments occur around you, a smile can have a devastating effect and be perceived as a lack of empathy.
One cannot laugh at everything, or at least not in all audiences. Your empathy and interest in people will be your moderators so that no one feels hurt by your humor. Not all cultures share the same understanding of humor, and not everyone perceives second-degree humor in the same way. So always be attentive, and when in doubt, make jokes about yourself so that no one feels offended.
The Beauty of This Strength
Combine it with your empathy, your professionalism, and learn to alternate between these modes to take the most appropriate one. Thus, you will know how to handle words with tenderness and gentleness to soothe, to make people smile in the midst of tears, and thus show another path. During tense meetings, when the stakes are high, you will know how to alleviate everyone’s pressure with a joke, bringing humanity that will strengthen the team.
In Conclusion
Use smiles and laughter, kindness with attentive listening, courage, honesty, and sincerity. These will be the ingredients that will allow you to be a resource person in your organization.
🛠️ Three simple actions to lighten the atmosphere in your team
Practice “intentional smiling” at the start of the day
Before your first interaction, take one second to think about smiling.
Not to hide anything, but to open the door, make the exchange more accessible, and lower hierarchical barriers.
Use humor as a tool… but never as a reflex
Before making a joke, ask yourself a tiny inner question:
“Is this the right moment, for this person, in this context?”
If the answer isn’t obvious, choose gentleness or silence. It helps you preserve your impact and credibility.
Do an “empathic check‑in” before sensitive moments
Before a tense meeting or a difficult conversation, take 30 seconds to ask yourself:
What is the likely emotional state of the others?
This quick scan helps you adjust your humor, your energy, and your positivity so they become strengths, not missteps.
👉 These three simple actions strengthen your leadership posture and unlock your potential.