{
  "id": 9131274,
  "title": "The workplace has an optimism crisis. Here’s why that matters—and what to do about it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/the-workplace-has-an-optimism-crisis-heres-why-that-matters-and-what",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-22T10:41:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91595927/expressed-optimism-is-on-the-decline-heres-how-to-get-it-back-workpace-optimism"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The modern workplace is experiencing an optimism crisis, and this matters for both business performance and individual well-being. While people still describe themselves as optimistic, they are increasingly reluctant to share their optimism with others. Measuring optimism through assessments, such as the Success Scale my team and I have developed, shows that while 80% still view themselves as optimistic, their behavior has changed. People are now less likely to openly express their optimism, share it with others, and respond positively to new ideas. This shift from overt positivity to a more neutral tone occurs even when the world feels negative. The decline in expressed optimism may not signal a shift toward criticism, but rather a tendency towards neutrality. When people refrain from sharing optimism, important information about progress, successes, and positive developments is often withheld. Leaders play a crucial role in reversing this trend. By making progress visible, leaders can counter the tendency to focus solely on problems. Regularly acknowledging what has moved forward, worked well, or needs to be built upon helps reinforce optimism. Pairing problems with agency—that is, helping people see where they still have influence—strengthens this approach. Finally, specific encouragement is key. Instead of generic praise, leaders should articulate exactly why a colleague's actions were effective and why they matter. This practice not only boosts morale but also cultivates a positive culture where optimism is openly expressed. In summary, the solution lies not in pressuring people to feel positive, but in amplifying the optimism that already exists within the workforce.",
  "summary": "We are losing one of the most powerful drivers of performance at work, the expression of optimism. That is what I am seeing in 11 years of workplace data. While people still call themselves optimists, they are less likely these days to share that optimism with others. And given that optimism has been linked to a wide range of positive business and health outcomes, that decline matters. Measuring…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}