When the glass is half full: harnessing opportunities for resilient leadership

Did you know that when we get stressed, anxious or down, our attention narrows and our brains struggle to find solutions? Shifting this perspective can be achieved by asking a simple question: "What is going well right now?"

Here’s an example. One of our clients Kathy is a manager in a mid-sized business, overseeing a project for a high-profile client. As the project neared its deadline, the team encountered several unexpected challenges: a key team member fell ill, software issues caused delays, and the client requested last-minute changes. The project was at risk of not being delivered on time, and the team was feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Faced with this stressful situation, Kathy had two choices: she could dwell on the setbacks which would see the team’s morale dip further, or she could look for positives and steer the team towards a solution. Kathy chose the latter. Here’s what she did:

✅ Focused on team strengths: Instead of focusing on what was going wrong, Kathy highlighted the skills and strengths within the team. She recognised that even though they were short-staffed, her team had a strong track record of creativity and problem-solving. She encouraged everyone to lean into their strengths, which boosted their confidence and shifted the focus to what they could control.

✅ Encouraged open communication and flexibility: Kathy organised a team meeting to reassess the situation positively. She asked each member for their input on potential solutions, fostering a collaborative environment. This approach helped the team feel valued and part of the solution rather than simply overwhelmed by the problems.

✅ Reprioritised tasks and adjusted the plan: Kathy worked with the team to prioritise the most critical tasks and streamline the project scope where possible. She framed this as an opportunity to focus on delivering the highest-impact elements of the project rather than getting bogged down by everything that was going wrong. This allowed the team to refocus and work more efficiently under the time constraints.

✅ Highlighted past successes: Kathy reminded the team of previous occasions where they had successfully navigated tight deadlines and challenging situations. By celebrating past successes, she helped boost the team’s morale and reminded them that they had the capability to overcome obstacles.

✅ Communicated positively with the client: Rather than framing the delays as failures, Kathy communicated proactively with the client, explaining the adjustments the team was making to ensure the highest quality of work. She positioned the conversation around the positives — how the changes would benefit the final product — rather than simply apologising for the setbacks.

Kathy’s positive approach helped the team feel empowered and focused on solutions rather than problems. They managed to deliver the project on time to a high standard, which impressed the client. The team’s morale improved, and they felt a greater sense of accomplishment having worked through the challenges together.

Finding the balance

Rather than allowing our thoughts to spiral into negativity after an adverse event, intentionally acknowledging the positive and possible opportunities prevents a downward spiral. Embracing the positive doesn't mean ignoring negative events or emotions. Instead, it involves inviting positivity to be present as well.

How often does the negative take over your thinking? If this is something you regularly struggle with, working with a leadership coach can help you work through the risks and benefits and try out new approaches.

Remember, when faced with negative challenges, ask yourself what's going well? Before you move on to your next task, take a moment to reflect on these successes and opportunities that were created from the challenges.

While leadership can be rewarding, there are many challenges you will face each day. It's important that you have the right support and guidance to help you navigate these with confidence so that you and your team can achieve your full potential. To find out how Incredible People can support you on your leadership journey, get in touch today.