How to be “Realistic” Without Becoming Negative Nelly

Many women I coach struggle with bringing a non-brash, practical and effective voice to leadership conversations. Especially when you’re in an overly optimistic sales-focused Corporate Culture, it’s too easy to become the person who sounds like they’re holding everyone back simply by asking the team to focus on reality. (Hockey Stick projections, anyone?)

I know. I was this person for much of my career. And until I learned how to avoid the Debbie Downer persona, it lost me credibility among my higher ups, and at least one promotion I know of.

But what do you do if you can’t bring yourself to say things you don’t mean?

Try these tips:

Know that positivity and optimism are often key to success. Express your most serious doubts privately and publicly engage in optimistic thinking while mitigating risk.

Find a way to communicate negative information with positive vocabulary (for example instead of saying, “We’ll never make such unrealisitic targets,” say “Missing optimistic targets might result in layoffs and invite more investor scrutiny,” instead.

When you master these diplomatic approaches to leadership discussions, you’ll be seen as part of the solution instead of the problem.

What’s your experience? What tips do you have for being positive, pragmatic and realistic all at once? Comment below.

For more tips on positive communication check this out.