Hope and the Leader

Hope is essential for life. A man in search of a job must hope that he’ll find suitable employment. Investors who have lost their money must believe that they will overcome the hurdle. A lost traveler must hope to find his way home. Living with no hope leads to depression and death. Italian philosopher Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) attempted to describe hell with a big sign at the entrance, saying, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!” His lesson? The worst punishment imaginable to deprive a person of hope.

Hope is that feeling of expectation. The idea that something good will happen, that a positive outcome is ahead. A leader can encourage hope, and can use hope as a tool to motivate his people toward an optimistic and productive goal. More than any other role-carrier in an organization, leaders can wield hope to help spur their team on to success. In addition to expectation, hope is also manifested in the desire to never give up, surrender, or wallow in defeat. 

Hope begins as a thought pattern. Hope is part confidence, part trust, and all emotion. If a leader goes through their day in worry, doubt and fear, hope will be hard to communicate. Looking at each challenge and goal from the perspective of abundance, love, gratitude and humility makes the mind’s focus positive. It may take a conscious choice to shift into thoughts and attitudes that promote hope. Words too, which can create emotions, are equally important. What are leaders saying to themselves and to others?

Hope is a reflection of self-image. A leader needs to know who they are. What does he or she sand for? What do they value and how are those expressed to others? A leader can have elements of their life that are important to them and make up their character. Things like God, family, career, health, community. Perhaps freedom, creativity, having run, making a difference. If the self-image is negative then a hopeful demeanor will often not be a strength. However if the leader knows who they are and where they want to go, then hope becomes an expression of who they are at the core.

Have hope. Understand what makes you tick. Resolve to remove negative thoughts and approach the day, the task, the mountain, with the idea that it can be conquered. Let that belief then be reflected in actions and language that motivates others to be their best.