In 2015, the first female graduates of the Army’s Ranger School set an example for all of us for Positivity and getting things done. They overcame unique obstacles as trailblazers in what has been an all-male enterprise. Plus, they overcame the traditional obstacles that have stopped generations of would-be male Rangers from earning the title of Army Ranger.

This accomplishment, like many worthwhile accomplishments for any leader, would not have been possible without having the right attitude—Positivity. A Leader of Character must develop the habit of believing in the possibilities and her ability to overcome the obstacles that life, circumstances, and other people may throw in her path.

Push Yourself

One way a Leader of Character develops this can-do attitude is by pushing himself outside his current boundaries, whatever they may be. If we only operate within the boundaries of our past or current experiences, new obstacles will become our focus instead of envisioning the possibilities that will open up by overcoming those obstacles. Courage is required to face these obstacles, and Positivity allows us to see beyond the obstacles and focus on the desired outcome.

We must have the Courage to push ourselves to do hard things if we want to grow beyond the person we currently are. A Leader of Character sees that pushing herself through or finding a way around the obstacles in life is when she is most likely to see growth.

Positivity means we don’t believe growth occurs in comfort. Therefore, if something is uncomfortable or difficult, we see it as an opportunity, not as a looming failure.

Focus On The Outcome

When we focus on the desired outcome, the obstacles become challenges to be solved instead of predictors of failures that prevent us from moving forward. In other words, when a Leader of Character has a door slam in her face, she kicks open a window.

A Leader of Character also understands that it is his Duty to get things done. Therefore he does not leave himself the option of making excuses for failure. Without that option, the attitude becomes “This can be done; we just haven’t found the right way to do it yet.”

By the way, the pessimist reading this is probably saying, “Yeah, right. Nice drivel, Dave.” The Leader of Character, on the other hand, who has developed Positivity as a Habit of Character, is probably thinking about whom he can positively impact today and how he can make things happen. Who would you rather be? Who would you rather follow?

“Part of being an optimist is keeping one’s head pointing toward the sun and one’s feet moving forward.” – Nelson Mandela

The Bottom Line

Your attitude is a habit. Just like every character habit, each time you make a choice to behave in a certain way, it makes it easier to behave that way again in the future. Each time you choose to let circumstances or other people determine your attitude, it makes it easier to do it again.

It is time to exercise. Your attitude may be out of shape. You may have stopped yourself or others from moving forward because you are unsure if it can be done. But to be a Leader of Character, you have to get your attitude in shape. You have to start exercising Positivity.

Here’s what you need to do. You have to focus on breaking your old habits—those that keep you focused on yourself, your circumstances, or the obstacles you face. You need to begin to develop new habits that help you see that because something is hard does not mean it cannot or should not be done.

So here are some exercises that develop Positivity and lead you away from negativity, being a joy sucker, and lead you toward the Positivity that is a habit for Leaders of Character.

Overall

  • Try something new that you are unsure you can accomplish.
  • Say “even better if …” when you hear an idea you are skeptical about.
  • Do not give up. Find a new way.

At Work

  • Encourage someone to try something new to solve a problem.
  • Instead of starting with why something won’t work, ask, “Can you help me understand your thought process on this?”

At Home

  • Encourage your spouse or your child to do something new and difficult.
  • Never let your family see you give up when things get tough.

Question:

What is another example of Positivity overcoming circumstances?

excerpt from Chapter 9 of Becoming a Leader of Character

Dave Anderson is coauthor of the Amazon Best-Seller Becoming a Leader of Character – Six Habits that Make or Break a Leader at Work and at Home with his father General James L. Anderson (USA Retired).

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