Years ago, long before Zoom calls and hybrid work, I sat in a cubicle, quietly doing my part on a fast-paced data processing team. I was young, fresh out of university, and definitely not thinking about a future in leadership. One day, a senior leader pulled me aside and asked if I would consider managing the team.
Many thoughts came to mind: “They’re older than me. They’ve got more experience. I’m not ready.”
But he looked me straight in the eye and said, “I know you can do this.” Instead of pushing, he invested in me. He enrolled me in a Dale Carnegie leadership course and made sure I had the tools and support to succeed. Six months into being the Team Leader, I received an email from the board congratulating me on improving tabulation quality for clients, something that hadn’t been achieved in years.
That moment changed the course of my career. I achieved not because someone did the work for me, but because I knew someone had a strong belief in my success and had my back. Thank you to the first manager who saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. His belief lit a spark. And that’s the thing about belief: it’s contagious.
The Delivery Excellence Award – my daily reminder of what’s possible with positivity, belief and teamwork
Belief Changes Outcomes
If you tell one group of people they can’t do something, and another group they can guess who’s more likely to succeed?
Not to go full Ted Lasso, but believing shifts what’s possible.
Picture this: Two groups are asked to jump as high as they can. Both wear ankle weights. The first group is told, “This weight will make it hard to reach the mark.” They struggle. The second group hears, “Even with this weight, you’ve got the power to hit the mark.” And they all hit beyond the target on the wall.
This is not just motivational fluff, it’s backed by science.
Ted Lasso, American TV series
The Science Behind Positivity
“Your co-worker surprised you with a chocolate chip cookie, but a teammate took a dig at your report. As the day goes on, you’re more likely to dwell on the criticism than the act of kindness.” Katherine Kam (Award-winning Journalist)
That’s negativity bias in action. Our brains tend to prioritize negative information. So, what can we do about it?
According to research done by psychologist Sonja Lyubomisrky (Professor, Happiness Researcher):
- 50% of our happiness is genetic
- 10% is based on life circumstances
- 40% is within our control
That 40% is where the true power is. That is a lot of influence for what we do and choose to focus on! We have the ability to make our lives happy. Happy people don’t sit around waiting for their life to change. They create meaning, stay present, and move with purpose.
photo credit: Carmen Day
Why Positive Feedback Matters
Over the years, I’ve talked with many leaders about recognition and feedback. There’s always someone hesitant, worried that too much praise might “give someone a big head.” When that comes up, I like to ask:
“When was the last time you felt you were receiving too much recognition from your manager?”
Chances are, you haven’t.
Positive feedback isn’t empty praise. It’s one of the most effective and underutilized performance tools we have. When delivered with intention, it reinforces what’s working, builds trust, and inspires people to grow.
According to, David Rice (Journalist), when done well, it drives:
- Improved Morale: People feel seen and valued
- Enhanced Engagement: Employees who feel recognized are 4x more likely to be engaged
- Professional Growth: Feedback inspires people to grow and stretch
- Lower Turnover: Recognition reduces the desire to job-hop by 56%
A few intentional words can shift someone’s confidence and the company’s trajectory. When a manager frames something as possible, it opens doors in the brain. Positive thinking reduces stress and supports emotional regulation. It allows people to see roadblocks as temporary and solvable.
It’s about planting seeds of possibility.
photo credit: Carmen Day
Optimism Drives Achievement
Positivity is a mindset shift that rewires what’s achievable every day.
“For decades, positive thinking has empowered people to rise above problems, achieve goals, overcome hardships, heal relationships, and maintain emotional balance.” Remez Sasson (Author)
Optimists are more likely to persist when the going gets tough, adapt to change, and be successful in life and work.
Here is how you can break through a negative situation with positivity:
- Accept the reality of the situation for what it is
- Break it down – identify one action you can take right now
- Remove emotion – look at the facts
- Take a break- practice breathing exercises or talk a walk to boost mood and brainpower
- Trust the process- the future is usually brighter than it feels in the moment
InnovateMR team sharing some laughs
Start the Ripple
“Incorporating positive thinking into daily life starts with small, consistent actions like smiling more, practicing positive self-talk, and surrounding oneself with supportive people. These simple steps can create a ripple effect, significantly enhancing overall mental health and well-being.” Ryan C. Warner, Ph.D. (Award-winning Consulting Psychologist)
Here are some ideas of what you can do today to start spreading positivity:
- Recognizing a colleague’s efforts
- Giving someone the benefit of the doubt
- Tell a direct report that you believe in them
- Start writing down positive feedback as a powerful reminder to yourself
These are small ripples that over time build a culture of trust with momentum.
Positivity isn’t about ignoring challenges. It’s hearing the negative, finding the actionable part, and resetting the focus on the positive.
It’s about how you show up for yourself and each other. Because when we lift others as we climb, we all rise higher together.
Who can you lift up today?
Who believed in you before you believed in yourself and how did it change your path?
If you’re ready, tag them and say thank you. Because when we recognize the people who helped us rise, we inspire others to do the same.
About InnovateMR – InnovateMR is a full-service sampling and ResTech company that delivers faster, quality insights from business and consumer audiences utilizing cutting-edge technologies to support agile research. As industry pioneers, InnovateMR provides world-class end-to-end survey programming, targeted international sampling, qualitative and quantitative insights, and customized consultation services to support informed, data-driven strategies, and identify growth opportunities. Known for their celebrated status in customer service and results, InnovateMR combines boutique-level service with extensive global reach to achieve partner success.