Creating an Entrepreneurial Culture of Optimism

Jan. 14, 2008 — -- Companies that innovate well often share in common a culture of optimism. This type of culture exemplifies a company's belief that its employees are extremely capable and serves as fertile breeding ground for extraordinary innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

In his book "Weird Ideas That Work," Bob Sutton describes the notion of certain success as "irrational optimism." While irrational, it's effective, for two main reasons. First, there is proof in the hundreds of studies on self-fulfilling prophecies, which state that if you believe great things will happen, the odds of success increase (and vice versa). Second, irrational optimism creates a better work environment; unless you're a Scrooge who feeds on negativity, it's more fun to work with optimists than pessimists.

Here's what I propose: If you're leading an innovation or research & development department or are on a similar team, apply the mindset that everyone in your group will do something extraordinary this quarter. Set up your team to succeed, and they will. Below are 10 more things you can do to propagate a culture of optimism at your company:

1. Create a "we're all in this together" attitude. Strive for a zero-tolerance policy in response to cliques. To recognize this type of behavior, flash back to high school: Did you ever find yourself in a clique, or excluded by one? The problem with a clique mentality is that people inside the clique constantly scrutinize those on the outside. This behavior is different from feedback, critique or direction; it's social hierarchy at its worst and a symptom of an unhealthy organization. For a company to succeed, its employees need to create and work in a positive and safe atmosphere in which they feel consistently supported by their boss and coworkers.

2. Mix up project teams. Look at your organization's past work: Do you use the same teams for multiple projects? I'm always amazed at how much I learn when I have the opportunity to work with someone new. Mixing up teams can create successful combinations that may not be initially obvious. Additionally, breaking up the best teams and dispersing their members among new ones will create even more great teams.