You know the type. No matter what’s falling apart, they’re beaming. “Good vibes only!”
Good for them, honestly. (I’m not one of them.)
But there’s a point where staying positive tips into something else:
At least you still have a job. Everything happens for a reason. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
These sound harmless. They’re not. They quietly tell people their concerns don’t matter—and that’s where positivity turns toxic.
The alternative? Grounded optimism.
It’s optimism without the spin. You listen. You admit the hard parts are actually hard. You show your team you mean it, and you’re honest about how you’ll get through the change together.
That builds trust and sparks action—something no “good vibes only” platitude will ever do.
If this resonates, I think you’ll find a lot more to work with in this resource: Spark Action: How to Lead Change That Matters in 2026 and Beyond.
It’s packed with practical tools for leaders who want to be honest and hopeful—even when change is hard.
Check it out here: Spark Action: How to Lead Change That Matters in 2026 and Beyond.
Re-Imagining Change Readiness — Now on the Development Reimagined Podcast
“People aren’t resisting change. They are trying to make meaning out of it.”
That one line sparked a rich conversation. I recently joined Anita Gouveia and Chinwe Grace Jones on the Development Reimagined podcast to dig into what change readiness really looks like — and what leaders often get wrong.
Download the Episode One-Pager
Available on Apple, Spotify, Spreaker, or wherever you get your podcasts.
A quick personal note before I go…
Thank you, as always, for being here. I hope you’re easing into summer with some time to rest and recharge — wherever summer may actually be showing up for you. (Still waiting on it here in Toronto. Send heat.)
And one more thing: I just submitted my Ethics Review proposal for my PhD research on how AI is reshaping the people leader role. Big milestone — stay tuned for updates as that unfolds.
For more insights to help you navigate this ever-changing world head to my website for articles, videos, and podcasts.