A positive attitude enriches management.

Sven Voelpel, Professor of Business Administration at Jacobs University, believes in the power of a positive attitude. That's why the title of his new book is called "The Positive Effect." Sven Voelpel is initially surprised: Everyone knows how important a positive attitude is, but this concept has not yet reached management. There are hardly any studies on this topic. The Professor of Business Administration at Jacobs University wants to change that. Therefore, he collaborated with his colleague Fabiola Gerpott to write their own book. The result is titled "The Positive Effect" and will be released this Thursday. What motivated him to write was the fact that scientific findings in this field have not been utilized - quite the opposite. "In research, we know a lot, but what I see is that there is sometimes a catastrophic business practice. There is an incredible discrepancy." Voelpel is convinced that one's mindset can make a significant impact. "A positive attitude can increase brain performance by at least 37 percent. That's enormous." This mechanism has the potential to revolutionize management. Voelpel and Gerpott's book explains how leaders can harness this effect. Attitude Influences Reality Insights from various sciences are compiled in the book. Voelpel says that an improvement in performance of up to 1000 percent is indeed possible. "If you have a positive attitude towards yourself, colleagues, and employees on a continuous basis, you can imagine the huge effects this can have." Many examples demonstrate how attitude influences reality. In the Rosenthal experiment, teachers were told that randomly selected students were highly gifted. The following year, these students showed significantly higher performance compared to others, because the teachers had different expectations of them. "Even intelligence is actually fluid and can be trained. We just think it's fixed." In their own study, researchers at Jacobs University tested how influencing older people, as in the Rosenthal experiment, affects them. In this study, one group was told that in old age, one becomes frail and has a poorer memory. The second group was informed that older people are wiser and can perceive connections particularly well. The results were clear: the second group performed significantly better on the task afterwards. Confident expectations also have an impact in the corporate world. "Leaders should acknowledge good work and reward employees for it. Criticism doesn't help employees learn anything." Voelpel tries to utilize the Positive Effect with his students. "I tell them: McKinsey or Boston Consulting were here, but you can do even better." This approach leads to great, innovative solutions in their projects. The students work with great motivation. More Confidence Means More Joy in Life The book aims to help managers achieve better results. However, it is crucial that a positive attitude also brings more joy in life as confidence in employees increases. The higher up the hierarchy, the lower the actual appreciation, though. The pressure from stock markets or just the responsibility is significant. This burden is passed on to employees. However, negative moods tend to lead to a blockage. It is much more beneficial to deal optimistically with one's own abilities and to imagine achieving a goal - even emotionally. "Ultimately, you are mentally anticipating reality. For example, you imagine yourself running through the finish line and receiving the gold medal." This is good preparation. This process then repeats itself: "I do things and believe in myself more and more. It's a continuous training." In the book's preface, the authors explain that it is not about ignoring problems. "This does not mean putting on rose-colored glasses." Leaders should honestly show where the company actually stands. And why it is worth achieving a goal. The most effective leadership approach is for the leader to see themselves as a servant of the employees. "Servant Leadership is clearly the most effective," says Voelpel. “Leaders should acknowledge good work.” Supporting employees shows them that it is not about exploiting them, but about achieving value together. Employees can unfold best when leaders understand what motivates them. A higher salary is not always the right approach. Sometimes, more money even demotivates older employees because they value time with family and friends more. Voelpel currently doesn't have time to mentally prepare for the management revolution. Interviews, research papers that need to be submitted, student supervision - there is a lot on the plate for the Bremen professor who became a best-selling author last year with his book "Decide How Old You Are." However, the scientist is certain that change is coming and necessary. The future requires innovative, creative ideas. Control and pointing out deficiencies are the wrong path. Another change has occurred. Voelpel mentions that his best students receive offers from top brands, from companies that everyone used to aspire to work for. However, they turn down these positions. It is more important for them to implement their own ideas, start their own businesses, or join a start-up. Those who want to contribute something in large companies often face resistance from colleagues and superiors. "Innovations are being prevented. Students want to move away from these old hierarchies."