Winning with Optimism

This foreword by Clay Routledge appeared in a new report published in partnership with ONE Strategy Studio (a Radius company). 

Foreword

We have a cynicism problem. Surveys, including ones conducted by my team at the Archbridge Institute’s Human Flourishing Lab, find that the majority of Americans are pessimistic about the future, with little confidence we will make progress on the big challenges we face. At the root of it is a distorted picture of our fellow humans.

Research consistently shows that people are better than we assume. We overestimate how selfish and dishonest others are, and underestimate how kind and helpful they will be.

We treat optimism as naive. In reality, it is a critical ingredient of human progress. When we expect the best from one another and our shared future, we become more resilient, openminded, collaborative, and creative. We also become more inspired to help build the better tomorrow we imagine.

Right now, our information ecosystem is a major obstacle. It trades more and more in fear and outrage, presenting the worst of humanity as the whole. However, we are not helpless victims. We reward the negativity with our attention. But this also means we have the power to change course.

And there are signs people are starting to. Many are growing exhausted with the doom and gloom and are stepping back from the platforms that feed it. This is especially true among the young, who report the highest levels of distress, distrust, and pessimism, yet are also leading the search for something more hopeful.

Brands have an important role to play. They reach people every day and are well-placed to help tell a more optimistic and accurate story about who we are. As this report shows, this is not only good for the world. It is good for business.

Download the full report.