Welcome to Three Things with Rick Elias, featuring fascinating conversations with some of the world's most insightful people and three inspiring life lessons at the end of every episode.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience here at Red Ventures, where Rick and our guest Simon Sinek discussed how

optimism is different from general positivity and how an infinite mindset can unlock opportunity

and happiness even when chaos strikes. You may know Simon is the best-selling author of books

like Start With Why and The Infinite Game, or you might know his world famous TED talk about how

great leaders inspire

action. Or maybe you've heard our previous episode with Simon on three things called The Purpose

of Business, which dives deeper into how Simon's philosophies can be applied to leadership,

team building, and more. If you enjoy today's episode, be sure to check that one out.

This is Three Things with Simon Sinek.

Simon, Simon, Simon. What a lovely welcome. Welcome to Charlotte, welcome to Red Ventures. So,

Simon, you are in the business of optimism. Yes. Tough time to be in your business.

I don't think so. You know, I think people confuse optimism with blind positivity. Blind positivity, everything's good, everything's fine,

everything's good is unhealthy. And for leaders who operate with blind positivity thinking

that if I project positivity

will make people feel good.

It actually backfires.

Because in dark times or confusing times, when somebody is excessively positive, we think

there's something wrong with us.

Like if they're happy and I'm unhappy, if they seem certain and I'm uncertain, then something

must be wrong with me. Optimism is not that. Optimism is not naive.

Optimism accepts reality.

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