“Hopeful individuals, families, organizations, and communities THRIVE!”

Previously, we looked at the survival skills of Empathy and Resilience. Now, we are ready to add the skill of Being Hopeful. We used to respond that “Hope was not a strategy!” Well, as it happens, it IS a strategy and a very powerful one, at that!

Hope is one of the top predictors of well-being for adults and children. It is part of our core as human beings. And, hope is the leading predictor of satisfaction and happiness in life. Hope is universal across race, gender, culture, etc. and is not related to income, social status, intelligence, or morality. Hope can be measured.

Shane Lopez, in Making Hope Happen, speaks of the beliefs of High Hope People.

High Hope People Believe

1. The future will be better than the present.
2. I have the power to make it so.
3. There are many paths to my goals.
4. None of them is free of obstacles.

If ever we needed a “hopeful brain”, IT’S NOW! Activating what “high hope people” believe, we will see the possibilities for a brighter future. While it may not be the same as the past, it may be a better future – with greater empathy and resilience for whatever may come our way.

Hope Theory contends that there is a distinction between Will Power and Way Power and that it takes both for the emergence of hope. One without the other is merely a wish. Perhaps, that is why we said hope is not a strategy. Both “will power” and “way power” are required for it to become an expectation for a new reality.

Let’s Make it Personal

What is your level of hope for the future right now? What does it look like and how will you celebrate it when it comes true?

Leadership and Hope

S. Lopez says, “A leader’s personal hope is a public resource.” Because hope is a personal philosophy, the leader is in a unique position of influence holding the potential to build hope in others. Many of the convocation speeches given by Superintendents as each school year begins offer a vision of hope focusing on the future, speaking about will power and way power, and building capacity in others to carry the vision of hope forward. Hopeful messages have abounded during these hard times. Together we will get through this!

So, these three survival skills – Empathy, Resilience, and Hope will prepare us to bounce back for the “new world” – one that is full of possibility, promise, and the belief of a better world for us all!!

What are you hopeful for?

Reference: Howells, K & Johnston, K (2017) Leveraging the science of hope and trust in coaching. International Coach Federation Conference. Washington, DC.