Realistic Optimism: A Sense of Agency--How Great Leaders' Belief in Their Ability to Determine Outcomes Empowers Entire Organizations

By: Justin Menkes

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Synopsis: One of the qualities that sets great leaders apart is their belief that their own actions make a difference--that they can influence outcomes. In this chapter, psychologist and executive assessment expert Justin Menkes explores this sense of agency and why it can be such a game changer for aspiring leaders. Using powerful testimonials from master CEOs--Chevron's Dave O'Reilly, Continental Airlines' Gordon Bethune, Kraft Food's Irene Rosenfeld, and Scripps Health Systems' Chris Van Gorder--Menkes shows how you can energize an entire workforce by intensifying its sense of agency. Each of the relentless leaders quoted in this chapter recognizes that success is dependent on our own actions, and regardless of outside events beyond our control, it is how we react to the realities in front of us that determines whether we succeed or fail. The chapter concludes with suggestions about how you can use metrics and feedback to help your people accept greater accountability, overcome seemingly intractable problems, and achieve at their highest levels. This chapter was originally published as Chapter 3 of "Better Under Pressure: How Great Leaders Bring Out the Best in Themselves and Others."