Lead Positive takes the fundamentals of Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) and turns them into a playbook for successful leadership. ABT is a simple mindset management process that shows people how to make small shifts in perception and thinking to achieve great results. Cramer shows leaders how to apply ABT to shift their attention away from what is negative and learn to intentionally shine the spotlight on the positive, beneficial facts of a situation. As they make this mental shift from negative to positive aspects, they improve their optimism, empathy, and confidence. When their mindset zooms in on what is strong, valuable, and possible, what they say and do is far more likely to inspire others to action. In short, ABT helps leaders shift internally so they can excel externally.Lead Positive weaves neuroscience and positive psychology to create effective leadership strategies.

KATHRYN D. CRAMER, Ph.D., is passionate about possibilities and potential. She created and has dedicated her life to Asset-Based Thinking (ABT), a way of looking at the world that helps leaders, influencers, and their teams make small shifts in thinking to produce extraordinary impact. As founder and managing partner of The Cramer Institute, she has worked with clients such as DuPont, Prudential Real Estate, Starbucks, and Microsoft, as well as many educational and nonprofit organizations. Cramer, a psychologist, has written nine books, including the bestsellingChange the Way You See Everything, which started the ABT global movement. She won an Emmy for her filmStress: A Personal Challenge, and was twice featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. She believes in big thinking, the power of presence, and laughter as the great elixir, and lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

For more information, please visitdrkathycramer.com.

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction: Lead Positive 1
Reframe problems as possibilities and appeal to a higher sense of purpose

Part 1 What Highly Effective Leaders
See Zero in on what is working, strong, and possible

Chapter 1: What You See Is What You Get 11
Widen your perspective beyond the negative

Chapter 2: Focus on the Past 35
Honor the past for what it can teach you

Chapter 3: Focus on the Present 53
See and seize the emerging opportunities in any situation

Chapter 4: Focus on the Future 64
Envision a future worth diving into

Part 2 What Highly Effective Leaders Say
Speak to the mind, heart, and spirit

Chapter 5: From See to Say 85
Make what you see match what you want to say

Chapter 6: Say It with Substance 93
Leave no doubt about the credibility of your message

Chapter 7: Say It with Sizzle 108
Tell rich stories that invite your audience to feel

Chapter 8: Say It with Soul 135
Mean what you say (and say something meaningful)

Part 3 What Highly Effective Leaders Do
Start a positive ripple effect

Chapter 9: From Say to Do: Its a Very Short Trip 163
Set the example for what you want others to see, say, and do

Chapter 10: Reactive or Responsive: Its Up to You 169
Make your adrenaline work for you

Chapter 11: Start Being Before You Start Doing 182
Strengthen the link between who you are and what you do

Chapter 12: Driving Positive Change 200
Practice the seven key behaviors for transformational change

Chapter 13: The Asset-Based Leadership Advantage 217
Apply the See-Say-Do framework to every stage of the change process

Conclusion: Your Lead Positive Heros Journey 238
Use what you already know how to doin the moment and over time

Notes 240

About the Author 247

Index 249