Nothing is certain, so how do you lead?  In the Fall 2008 issue of the Leader to Leader Journal, psychologist Robert Rosen notes that "Leaders who live with just enough anxiety are masters at living in three paradoxes: realistic optimism, constructive impatience, and confident humility."

In my view, realistic optimism is the soul of leadership and exemplified by my hero, Sir Ernest Shackleton.  So how does Rosen define this paradox?  "Realistic optimism involves telling the truth about the present while dreaming the future."

The second balancing act, in Rosen's view, is constructive impatience, creating an environment that is psychologically safe for people "to take risks, while challenging them to higher and higher levels of performance, stretching beyond what seems possible."

And, finally, there's "learning to lead with power and humility."  Believing in yourself and those around you while admitting that you don't know everything--and don't need to--allows you to lead with an open mind and an open heart. 

My Benedictine high school education delivered on all three dimensions.   At a reunion, one of the nuns confirmed that mission, asking me if I knew how hard it was to instill both confidence and humility in teen aged girls. 

Today, St. Scholastica Academy only has a couple hundred students, yet offers the honors International Baccalaureate program with a completion rate of 83%--twice the average in Illinois and better than the U.S. average of 70%. Congratulations and thank you sisters.

Originally posted @ Ann Oliveri