"An optimistic disturber is someone who gets disturbed about ‘creating a better way’, not about minor, insignificant issues that do not move a situation forward. A person that pushes the boundaries, challenges most things, especially fads, and believes that to make things happen they must be prepared to lead the way, even if it means personal cost."

Des Penny

I have often gotten myself into trouble by being what I call an Optimistic Disturber. Many times that trouble was justified, but in most cases it was because I had in some way rattled the mediocrity of a situation, or place, and dared to ask the questions that others were thinking.

How many times have you wished that you could just say what you were really thinking and cut through the endless meetings and the pandering to people’s egos and insecurities?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were able to create an environment where those crucial conversations were commonplace? Where people were encouraged to stand up for what they believe in and make things happen? Well we can!

The key is in how we do it, and whether or not we are brave enough to not only speak about what we would like to see happen, but to also have the courage to follow through with our convictions.

However, when we do this it is also important that we also understand that an Optimistic Disturber is not just someone who is unhappy with a situation; it is someone that is prepared to work at making it better and has insight into what they are doing and why.

There is a real difference between an Optimistic Disturber and someone who is just a Disturber who creates problems because they don’t get their own way.

Below are eight insights that I believe differentiate Disturbers from Optimistic Disturbers. I call them insights because you need to live your life with insight to truly understand them.

Hindsight + Foresight = Insight

Insight One:  You must first be an optimistic person!

Seriously, how hard is it to be happy? It is a choice you know! But even being happy does not necessarily mean you are an optimistic person. It is however, a good start!

Happiness can so often be determined by the situations we find ourselves in, but being Optimistic is about seeing the best in a situation, even if it is a bad one, and then finding solutions to make the situation better.

Pessimists definitely should NOT apply for this role!

Optimism is about who we are, not who we say we are. People will not follow a fraud that is only optimistic in the good times; they want to follow people that live an optimistic life.

One of the simple things that we can do to become more optimistic is to check ourselves every time we speak negatively and follow each negative comment with a positive solution-focused comment. Over time habits will change. It is all about seeing the potential in people and situations and building on that. It is not that easy I know, but it will certainly make you a more happy and fulfilled person and also a more pleasant person to be around.

One of the other characteristics of Optimistic Disturbers is that they do not act when they are angry, do not crack under pressure or give up. They remain confident that things will work out and set about to find ways to make that happen.

To continue reading the following insights, click here.

Des Penny - Co-CEO
Proteus Leadership