I have been called an eternal optimist. I like that moniker. I think my optimism stems from my faith, though. I believe that God is in control of my life. No matter what happens, I know that He is in control. Even when bad things happen, I know that He can work it to good as long as I’m in His will. This makes it somewhat easy to be optimistic.
I think the example of a coach is the best example of optimistic leadership. The coach who leads his team to believe that it can win is a coach to be praised. The coach whose pep talk includes the words “We’re going to lose, but…” does not win the favor of a team or those watching. If the team is losing, the coach spends half time reminding them that they can do it. They can be victorious. Afterwards, he does not accuse the team of being a bunch of losers. He tells them areas in which they were weak, and he makes a plan to work on those areas.
If we adopt this same approach with our gifted kids, we can help them avoid the pessimism that so many gifted develop over time. We have to coach them through their losses. We have to help them see that no one wins all of the time. If a child learns that he will win some and lose some, but he only loses face if he loses badly, he will grow to be optimistic about his chances.
More threatening is the tendency for gifted kids to become sinical teens and adults. It is so easy to think that they are the smartest ones in the room at all times. It is easy to grow weary of dealing with those they find unintelligent. It’s typical for them to see patterns and begin to believe that change cannot occur. As teachers and parents of gifted, we must fight this tendency with everything we’ve got. Begin by teaching optimism, and then move to mercy and recognition that everyone is stupid to someone. If you take the time to cultivate optimism and patience with others, your gifted children will become valuable members of society.
- Michelle