Preparing Leaders for the Unthinkable with Michael Saltzstein Leadership is often defined by how well teams perform when the unexpected happens. Financial shocks, supply chain interruptions, and global disruptions can paralyze unprepared organizations, but those that invest in stress testing their leadership seldom falter. Michael Saltzstein highlights that this proactive strategy is not about predicting disasters. It focuses on building confidence, adaptability, and cohesion that help teams stay steady and effective when uncertainty strikes. Much like how engineers test a bridge before cars drive across it, stress testing leadership measures how teams respond under pressure. Through role-playing, crisis simulations, and scenario planning, leaders can identify weaknesses before they become costly problems. These mental fire drills train executives and emerging leaders to act decisively and collaborate effectively in high-pressure situations. The experience buil...
Michael Saltzstein on the Hidden Harm of Forced Positivity in the Workplace Workplaces often celebrate optimism as a key ingredient of resilience and collaboration. Yet when positivity becomes compulsory, it risks doing more harm than good. Michael Saltzstein recognizes that the push for constant cheer can silence real concerns, discourage authenticity, and prevent leaders from seeing what truly needs to change. The problem is not optimism itself, but the pressure to perform happiness even when employees are struggling. Why Employees Feel Pressured to Stay Positive The pressure to remain upbeat often comes from leadership messages that frame positivity as loyalty or resilience. Employees quickly learn that showing doubt, frustration, or fatigue might be seen as weakness. In some organizations, negative feedback is dismissed as complaining, creating an atmosphere where silence feels safer than honesty. This forced optimism creates a gap between how employee...