Hope Is Not A Strategy, But It Can Make All The Difference

Posted on February 5th, 2009 by Dave Stein

“Having hope,” writes Daniel Goleman in his  study of emotional intelligence, “means that one will not  give in to overwhelming anxiety, a defeatist attitude, or  depression in the face of difficult challenges or setbacks.”

Rick Page is right.  Hope isn’t a strategy.   Profound words.  Hope doesn’t replace the comprehensive and objective assessment of a selling situation, the planning, the execution, or the hard work.  But hope is a source of energy upon which you can, under significant adverse circumstances, jump out of bed and face the day, a tough deal, a busines challenge, or a personal obstacle.

Abraham Lincoln said that hope is “more than the sunny view that everything will turn out all right”; it is “believing you have the will and the way to  accomplish your goals.”

Ain’t nothin’ the matter with that kind of hope.

Quotes are excerpted from Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals: The Genius of Abraham Lincoln

Filed under: Book Recommendation, Leadership, Sales Strategy

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5 Responses to “Hope Is Not A Strategy, But It Can Make All The Difference”

  1. Jill at Meeting to Win, on February 5th, 2009 at 7:00 am Said:

    Hope for the Best, Expect the Worst. Words to live by for me. It helps keep my attitude in the right place, but also keeps me realistic, pursuing the next opportunity and never resting. Thanks for the inspiration!

  2. Luke Petri, on February 11th, 2009 at 1:41 pm Said:

    In terms of selling, coupling hope and sales qualification means that hope helps me stay positive, whilst qualification of a sale means I remain realistic.

  3. Dave Stein, on February 11th, 2009 at 1:45 pm Said:

    Yes, Luke. We want salespeople to be cautiously optimistic.

  4. Sales Management Strategy, on February 13th, 2009 at 9:29 am Said:

    This is definitely a beautiful “Quote”.

    “Hope Is Not A Strategy, But It Can Make All The Difference”.

  5. Mark Dozier, on March 14th, 2009 at 9:50 pm Said:

    FYI I am reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals and I think if you will reread page 631 you will find Abraham Lincoln did not say hope is”more than the sunny view that everything will turn out all right”; it is “believing you have the will and the way to accomplish your goals.” The quote comes from Daniel Goldman book on emotional intelligence and he is actually quoting CR Snyder.

    FYI I am reading Team of Rivals and my recollection was the Honest Abe said this, but when I went to find on the internet where and when he said this I found CR Snyder is actually quoted in Team of Rivals. Hope this helps you.

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