L2. Be Positive – Coach and Practice
This behaviour develops a leader’s ability to generate realistic optimism that fuels effort, belief, and persistence.
Behaviour focus
Framing challenges with hope, balancing honesty with encouragement.
Purpose
To lift energy and focus without slipping into vague or false reassurance.
| Action Steps | Key Questions | Practice |
| Start with what is working. | What can we build on right now? | Practise opening three upcoming meetings by naming one specific bright spot and the mechanism behind it. |
| Name the challenge, then the path. | Have I acknowledged reality before offering the next step? | Rehearse a short message formula: fact, impact, next step, confidence. |
| Use specific praise. | Who deserves recognition, and for what precise behaviour? | Write and deliver three precise thank you messages this week that cite evidence and effect. |
| Keep language forward-focused. | Do my words point toward action and agency? | Replace one negative or passive phrase with a forward phrase in emails for five days. |