Positive Leadership Mindset

3 Ways to Become More Optimistic

11/8/2021

Edition 2, Volume 2

Three Ways to Become More Optimistic

There are benefits to optimism. Some studies have found that feeling optimistic can help fight stress and improve health; others have found that optimists earn and save more money.

To build your optimism, try a few things.

For one, practice gratitude. When you wake up each morning, think of three things you’re thankful for. It only takes a minute, and it puts a positive spin on the day. (Also, resist the urge to immediately check the news, which often does the opposite.)

Second, find ways to make progress toward your goals. Whether you want a new job or you’re launching a new project, taking even small steps forward can give you a larger sense of momentum.

Third, prioritize connecting with others. Get lunch with friends you haven’t seen lately or send a coworker a note that you’re thankful for them. Social connection is one of the top predictors of happiness.

CHARACTER TRAITS OF A POSITIVE LEADERSHIP MINDSET

  Positive Leadership Mindset

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208 Seconds - Moment in a Minute

208 Seconds

11/1/2021

Edition 2, Volume 1

“I knew I could find a way.”
– Captain Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III

208 Seconds

On January 15, 2009, a potential disaster turned into a heroic display of skill and composure when Captain Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III safely landed the plane he was piloting on New York City’s Hudson River after a bird strike caused its engines to fail. David Paterson, governor of New York at the time, dubbed the incident the “miracle on the Hudson.” 

I knew it was going to be the hardest day of my life, the biggest problem I would ever have to solve. But I was confident I could solve it. I never thought I would die that day. I was just trying to make sure that no one else did.

Why were you so confident that you wouldn’t die?

I knew I could find a way. Even though this was an unanticipated event for which we have never specifically trained, I was confident that I could quickly synthesize a lifetime of training and experience, adapt it in a new way to solve a problem had never seen before and get it right the first time, and so that’s what I did. In 208 seconds. I wasn’t sure at the outset exactly what steps I would take, but we didn’t have a lot of ambiguity: I knew what happened. I didn’t have to waste time with the “what happened?” phase. I was able to go right to the “how do I fix this?” phase.

And in the spur of the moment, I chose the word “impact” to give them a vivid word picture of the fact that it was going to be a hard landing and how important it was to brace. Ultimately, I said, “This is the captain. Brace for impact.” I chose not to mention that it was a water landing; I didn’t want them bumbling for a seat cushion or life vest or doing anything else but bracing. When we landed, they’d figure it out.

I was confident if I could find a way to deliver the airplane to the surface intact, we could float long enough for us to be rescued, and that was critical because it was such a cold day. It was 21 degrees Fahrenheit, and the water was 38 [degrees], so rapid rescue was essential. That’s why I turned south along the Hudson. I knew from experience, having visited Manhattan, the ferries operate between Pier 79 and Weehawken, New Jersey. That was the only place a rescue could happen fast enough.    

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Picking up the puck

3/28/2018

Edition 1, Volume 1

“I believe someone at your school will want this puck in your trophy case Tomorrow.”
–Mark Manney, Andover Boys Hockey Head Coach

Just a couple of weeks back, the Andover Boys High School Hockey team had to travel to Duluth for a Section Championship to play one of the top ranked teams in the State of Minnesota, Duluth East.  The Andover squad was an underdog and lost 9-2 to this same Duluth squad earlier this season.  Playing Duluth East is always a challenge, playing them on their backyard pond, just minutes from their  home arena, takes it  to another level of  toughness.

The Section 7AA game was scoreless through the first period, then Andover scored two goals in the 2nd period.

Heading into the  3rd period  the Duluth East  team which had lost just one game all year,  was  down 2-0.

Duluth battled back to  tie the game in the  3rd period  and  send the game it to a sudden-death overtime.    Almost five minutes  into  overtime Duluth East scored the game winner and  the arena with over 9,000  fans  in attendance erupted with  95%  of the fan  base from  Duluth.  They were headed to the most coveted tourney in the state of Minnesota, The State Hish School Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota.

It was at this point the actions of the Andover Coach, Mark Manney created Momentum in a Minute.

As Duluth players and coaches were celebrating their overtime win on the ice and his players from Andover greatly disappointed by the loss. Coach Manney noticed the puck used to score the game winning goal was still in the net.  During the choatic celebration Coach Manney, picked up the puck, manuevered through the frenzy of Duluth East players, sticks, and gloves all over the ice at this time.  Heart broken himself after such a tough loss, he then approached the Duluth East coach, congratulated him  and handed him the puck, saying, “I believe someone at your school will want this puck in your trophy case tomorrow.”

His actions and his leadership made such impact on his players that it triggered momentum to such a level, the underclassman on this Andover team committed to an intense off-season training program.  The goal, they will be the team on the ice at the Section Championship next celebrating a trip to the 2019 State Tournament.  They played nearly 60 minutes of intense hockey in the championship game and almost 30 games during season with endless practices.  It was the action of Picking Up the Puck, that triggered momentum in a minute for the Andover Boys High School team and their 2019 Season.  Best Days Ahead, has become the team motto.    

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