“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
-Anne Frank
Hope is often mistaken for a “feel-good” emotion and a Pollyanna outlook on life, but hope is actually a quiet , internal encouragement that tomorrow will be better. As a strength, hope activates both the motivation and agency to reach our goals and make changes. As workplaces continue to innovate, hope can help employees adjust to changes and make the right pivots when necessary. In our current time, we all need hope more than ever.
In a 2019 study, hope was one of five strengths most associated with job satisfaction along with zest, gratitude, love, and curiosity. By cultivating an openness to new possibilities, hope helps us gain flexibility and look for creative solutions. Hope in the workplace is useful for successfully navigating an uncertain future for employees and leadership alike. In Michelle McQuaid’s book, Can You Put Your Strengths To Work, hope is described as the capacity to devote consideration to what lies beyond the ‘here-and-now’.
STRENGTH INSPIRATION
Need some inspiration? Check out these stories of hope!
- Online newspaper ,The Guardian, has been sharing stories of good news since March 2020 to help people ‘find the good in bad news’.
- The Supreme Court made the landmark decision to ban LGBTQ+ employment discrimination in June 2020.
DID YOU KNOW…
According to a 2016 study, hope serves as a buffer against the impact of negative and stressful life events? Being able to see small ways we can make change in our own lives has a real effect on both our health and life satisfaction.
PUT IT IN PRACTICE
- Find The Little Things. These past few months have brought massive changes for both ourselves and the world. Recognize the small accomplishments you’ve made in a day. Finished a work task? Played with your kids? Cooked a meal? Notice and appreciate your ability to meet challenges.
- Create Your Own Story. Take a task that’s been giving you difficulty and imagine an internal movie. Picture yourself moving step-by-step through your goal, conquering challenges, and developing paths to get to your goal.
