At its simplest, optimism is an expectation that good things will happen and things will work out in the end. There’s strong evidence that optimism will improve your health. There is a strong link between optimism and longevity. Infectious optimism is the essential trait of the globally successful leader. Victor Perton is the Chief Optimism Officer of The Centre for Optimism and a Director of Project Optimism.  The offspring of stateless refugees from the Baltics, Victor's early working years were spent in the law, politics and public policy culminating in 18 years in the Australian Parliament. After working overseas, Victor returned to  Melbourne, and was surprised by the negativity around Australian leadership and increasing levels of anxiety and depression in the community.  This led to the founding of The Australian Leadership Project and, after a Eureka moment, the founding of its offspring The Centre for Optimism which now has over 5000 members and subscribers in 90 countries. Today Victor's work centres on asking people the question "What makes you Optimistic?" Spreading optimism starts with how we greet each other. Asking 'How are you? is a pointless question. Asking 'What makes you Optimistic?' lights people up and elicits a positive response.Research shows that great leaders are infectious optimists. They focus on what's possible and look for opportunity at every level instead of problems.Optimism is beneficial for everyone, from prisoners in jail to corporate leaders.  The Delai Lama said that young people especially need a sense of optimism.The media take a pessimistic approach to global issues such as climate changes and this is counter productive. People need hope in order to take positive action. Big brands understand this concept, hence their success.There are 14 habits of an optimist. Ending every conversation with 30 seconds of laughter is one of them! Connect with Victor Perton The Centre for Optimism Optimism: The How and Why ABOUT ECSTATIC EMPOWERMENT Two co-CEO’s are launching a different kind of a business podcast. Its aim is to disrupt the old way of doing business and inspire a co-creation of a new, more feminine business world. If you like our podcast please subscribe and share.  We'd love to learn how you found it so do leave a review or a comment.  And if you’d like to learn more about our Ecstatic Empowerment Business Club, please leave your contact details, and we’ll be getting in touch with you.  Keep shining your light, because the world needs you! Anne and Sue xx Follow us on Telegram Anne Bland, Chief Ecstasy Officer, is a social enterprise and social impact adviser and a happiness coach.  Connect with Anne Sue Jackson, Chief Empowerment Officer, is a business adviser and a money coach.   Connect with Sue Visit our website Join the  Ecstatic Empowerment for Business Movement on Patreon to support more episodes such as this! Episode is Live