The Little Animal With a Big Lesson in Optimism

Last week, I was coaching a group of leaders in person in Raleigh, NC, and one of them stopped me with a smile and asked, “I love the daily optimistic outlook email, but what’s the little animal in the middle?”

Since we have so many new subscribers (which I am incredibly appreciative of), it’s a good time to share the answer or remind you why it’s there.

It’s called a quokka, often referred to as “the happiest animal on Earth.”

I didn’t choose it just because it’s cute. I chose it because of what it represents. Years ago, I partnered with a software development company called Quokka Labs. Their two founders, Suny and Sanchit, radiated optimism. When Suny came to Charlotte, we spent a day together that was filled with positivity, energy, and vision. That encounter planted a seed.

When I later researched the quokka, I found it symbolized something the world desperately needs: optimism.

Native to a small island off the coast of Western Australia, quokkas have no natural predators. They’ve evolved with a unique approach to life, curious, joyful, social, and unafraid. They walk right up to people. They smile. They connect. They trust.

Most people brace for the worst and are cynical. But quokkas remind us of a different way of being: one that assumes good, connects with others, and shows up with joy.

You don’t have to ignore reality to be optimistic. You don’t have to pretend problems don’t exist. You just need to choose how you show up. Because optimism isn’t weakness, it’s bold and contagious. In today’s world, it’s your competitive advantage.

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