What Most Leaders Miss: How to Think Clearly and Lead Bravely

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1 BIG IDEA
Clear thinking isn’t a personality trait—it’s a leadership practice. And most people were never taught how to do it. In this episode, we unpack the six tenets of Intentional Optimism and how they offer powerful lenses for leadership—helping you see what’s really going on, stay grounded in your values, and respond with clarity and courage even in the middle of pressure, conflict, or confusion.

3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Identify the tenet of Intentional Optimism you naturally lean on—and the one that feels most unfamiliar or underused.
• Choose one situation this week and practice leading from that “missing” tenet—on purpose.
• Download the free Intentional Optimism guide (linked in the show notes) and use it as a lens to evaluate how you show up in challenging or high-stakes moments.

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• When I’m at my best as a leader, which tenet of Intentional Optimism shows up most easily—and how do others experience it in me?
• In moments of pressure, conflict, or self-doubt, which tenet do I tend to suppress or dismiss—and what might that reveal about my assumptions or conditioning?
• What’s one upcoming situation where I could intentionally lead from that underused tenet—and what would it look like to respond through that lens?

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Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762 

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
Episodes mentioned: 

Need a Set of Life Principles? Discover the Power of Intentional Optimism
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/15174376

YouTube: https://youtu.be/KJCAydSnRKo  

Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Get your Free What Is Intentional Optimism?: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/what-is-intentional-optimism 

Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta 

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025 

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025 

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: [e-mail]

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