Mind the Glass
An optimist will tell you the glass is half-full; the pessimist, half-empty; and the engineer will tell you the glass is twice the size it needs to be. - Anonymous
The lab tech will tell you it's not properly labeled, but that's another blog.
Merriam Webster defines optimism as "an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome," from the Latin for "best." According to Psychology Today, optimism isn't about mindless cheerleading but passion and persistence. The optimist takes steps to reach a positive goal, because the goal seems within reach.
This, of course, is the person in your laboratory who sees the beaker half-full, willing to hope that success is just around the corner and to believe (correctly) that some action may succeed over none. He arrives on time, cheerfully helps others, and leaves whistling at day's end.
The pessimist, of course, hates him for it. Pessimists blame luck – good or bad – for what happens and tend to be skeptical of positive outcomes. This may be a defensive mechanism as suggested by one online quiz – expect the worst and be prepared – which has nothing to do with checking the O Negative packed cell and AB plasma inventory at the start of a shift. No way.
You may think about your coworkers, "Yep, that Jane – pessimist. Bill, he's an optimist," adding flattering (or not) adjectives depending on your own inclination. But a few behave differently at work and home. Therein lies a truth posed by the engineer: optimist or pessimist, what matters is the glass.
Consider a workplace – including the synergy of a team – as a system that enables performance. It enables errors, quality, competence, and attitudes. An environment where ideas matter and quality improves as a result surely enables optimism. Inclinations to judge outcomes in response to stress all happens in this "glass." Over time, even hardened pessimists are softened by a positive workplace.
Does your workplace encourage optimism or pessimism? It's worth asking. In the meantime, check out those passionate optimists. They sure have fun.