Page 81 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

62 • CEO Material: How to Be a Leader in Any Organization

private company counterparts. Another study of 44 countries indicated
that Americans are the most optimistic people, thinking that they can
exert some control over circumstances around them, and the Chinese are
the least optimistic.
American Psychological Association research shows that moderately
happy people earn more money, live longer, have more friends, and do
better work. Worldwide studies find that additional benefits include

■ Better physical health (less cardiovascular disease, pulmonary
disease, diabetes, hypertension, and upper respiratory disease)—
according to the National Academy of Sciences
■ Less depression
■ Less mental illness
■ A sense of community
■ A feeling life has a purpose

At least one of these benefits has got to appeal to you and cause you
to embrace this attitude for the benefit of your team, your family, and your-
self. Regardless of any of these benefits, I am talking about you—you and
me, actually—and what we can and need to do each minute of every day.
If, instead, you choose to give up and give in, you will fail yourself.
Success requires sustained, optimistic ambition. Don’t let setbacks hit you
harder because you’ve set high expectations for yourself. Too many people
start out like a Roman candle in their careers, full of ambition, energy,
and enthusiasm, and then a baby, a large mortgage, a second car pay-
ment, or an unsatisfying job—a loss of confidence—causes a fear of losing
any of the preceding and results in a midcourse slowdown, a fizzle, and
a stop altogether.

Sadly, around 35 to 40 years of age, the dogged hunger to make a
difference and make a mark wanes and fades.

It’s never over until you stop trying. No one can do everything
needed “by the book,” but nearly everyone can do more than they think
they can.
One manager told me that he tries to do the good things at the right
time. My thinking is, How would you even know which is the right time?