Comments on: Strategic Perspectives: Why You Need Both Optimism and Pessimism to Grow Your Business http://www.valueprop.com/blog/2012/08/strategic-perspectives-why-you-need-both-optimism-and-pessimism-to-grow-your-business/ Obsevations on smart and not-so-smart marketing - Value Prop Interactive Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:31:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Looking Back on Eduacation http://www.valueprop.com/blog/2012/08/strategic-perspectives-why-you-need-both-optimism-and-pessimism-to-grow-your-business/#comment-43121 Looking Back on Eduacation Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:44:49 +0000 http://www.valueprop.com/blog/?p=6977#comment-43121 [...] 1. It’s All About the “A” There’s such an emphasis on grades — on getting the A — on not failing — and I get it. I definitely want my kids to do well — to excel and test to the best of their ability — but that’s not what matters on the outside, and even to job seekers. Experience trumps the 4.0 average. If you have relevant experiences and a 3.0, chances are you’re going to get the job above the 4.0 valedictorian who didn’t take the time to do any internships. OK — not in every situation — but the point is that a well-rounded, talented, AND experienced person is hugely sought after by…well, almost anyone needing help. And every entrepreneur knows that success is driven by the reality of failure. [...]

]]> By: Value Prop Team http://www.valueprop.com/blog/2012/08/strategic-perspectives-why-you-need-both-optimism-and-pessimism-to-grow-your-business/#comment-43109 Value Prop Team Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:59:35 +0000 http://www.valueprop.com/blog/?p=6977#comment-43109 I agree a little “pessimism” can help… or maybe the suggestion is to not be “overly optimistic”… or be a little cautious or conservative.

In general though, if the optimism/pessimism meter is 50/50 or leaning too heavily to the pessimism side for a person, they can be a real energy drainer. We’ve all been around these “yeah but” people when trying to get moving on something.

I think in a team setting, you can afford to have one or more 100% optimism guys on your team. But one 100% pessimist is all you need to derail discussions and planning.

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