Is your optimism helping—or quietly hijacking—your judgment? Let’s unpack it.

Optimism bias is that inner voice nudging us to believe things will go better than they actually might. It colors our outlook with positivity, even when facts are waving caution flags.

Leaders can ride the winds of hope, aiming high and dreaming big. But too much optimism? That’s where things get tricky.

Risks get glossed over. Blind spots widen. Decisions get murky, and confidence turns into carelessness.

Optimism is a gift, that can also be a gnarl. It fuels ambition. But left unchecked, it can steer you off course. Knowing when to lift the sails, and when to check the weather is key.

The goal isn’t to shut optimism down. It’s to put it to work in service of better strategy. Used wisely, optimism becomes a tool, not a trap.

A smart move? Invite a counterpoint. A colleague with a "cautious" lens can help pressure-test your plans. Yes, optimism bias can cloud judgment.

But you can stay clear-eyed with simple strategies.

• Chart that bold path—but pause to question the probabilities and test assumptions with real data.

• Use worst-case planning to strengthen your plan, not scare you off course.

  
  

How do you keep optimism honest in your leadership decisions?

Let’s compare notes in the comments.