Leading with Hope

In my most recent LinkedIn Live, we tackled a topic that’s more relevant than ever in today’s workplaces: designing a culture of hope. I had the pleasure of speaking with Scott McGohan , a leader whose hope, kindness, and authenticity, shines in all that he does. With 35 years at McGohan Brabender, including leading the organization as CEO and a recent retirement as Co-Chairman, Scott has a wealth of experience. He’s the author of Culture Is an Inside Job: Embracing Self-Awareness to Inspire an Authentic Organization, co-founder of the Culture Is an Inside Job podcast, and co-founder of One Morning , his newest venture with the goal to drive cultural change around mental health by offering resources that inspire hope and support.

I have to say, this conversation with Scott was one of my all-time favorites—it sparked in me a renewed sense of hope. And we all need a little boost of hope these days! Hope, as Scott demonstrates, isn’t just a feeling; it’s a strategy. It can transform individuals, teams, and entire organizations.

Watch the full conversation with Scott here and my recap video here and below are a few of my takeaways: 

Why Hope Matters

“Hope is the greatest thing on our planet. The strongest thing we can do is give hope to others.”

Hope isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a plan of action. It sustains us when challenges seem too big to overcome. Without hope, motivation wanes, performance dips, and wellbeing declines.

Imagine intentionally nurturing hope in your workplace. Employees who feel hopeful are more engaged, resilient, and committed to their work because they genuinely believe in a brighter future.

Build Trust Through Honesty

Hope thrives where trust flourishes. As a manager or leader, your honesty—especially during tough times—provides the clarity your team needs. If layoffs are looming, workloads are overwhelming, or overall morale is low, address these issues openly. The more transparent you are, the more your team can trust that a better path lies ahead.

Create a Culture of Belonging

Scott emphasizes that belonging is the foundation of hope. When people feel seen, supported, and valued, they’re more inclined to persevere through difficulties.

“If you don’t believe people’s problems are coming in your front door, you’re ignorant. Embrace those problems and provide solutions.”

Leaders, your job isn’t to “fix” your people. It’s to create an environment where they feel safe to be themselves. When employees know they belong, they’re equipped to face challenges without losing hope.

Find Hope in Connection

Hope isn’t a solo pursuit. If you’re feeling isolated or stuck, seek out real connections. Reach out to colleagues for genuine conversation. Share your struggles, listen to theirs, and remember you’re not alone. This sense of shared understanding can spark new hope and create a ripple effect.

“I believe that the mirror is a beautiful place to find a friend. When you understand the inside of you, what encourages you, what lifts you, what motivates you from the inside, you have the power then to be an incredible leader, to encourage others, to inspire others, and to most often give people a reputation to live up to.”

Whether you’re leading a team or navigating your own path, hope begins with self-awareness and self-compassion. When you respect and trust the person looking back at you in the mirror, your hope is contagious.

Your Challenge: Inspire Hope Every Day

What if we were to start each day with a moment of reflection by asking ourselves, “What can I do today to nurture hope for myself and those around me?”

Hope isn’t just a warm sentiment—it’s vital for wellbeing, and resilience. Whether you’re managing teams, guiding an organization, or contributing as an individual, you have the power to cultivate hope through honesty, belonging, and true connection.

Thank you for this compelling conversation, Scott McGohan . Keep riding that unicorn and continuing to inspire with hope! Watch here.

Kickstart 2025 with Dan Ariely

My January Live guest is the fascinating Dan Ariely . Dan is a professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University, a New York Times bestselling author, and a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight. Through his research, his books like Predictably Irrational, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty and his latest, Misbelief, and projects advising governments worldwide, he explores why people often act against their best interests and how behavioral insights can help us make better decisions. 

Dan’s insights might be the key to unlocking resolutions that finally stick. Join us on 1/22 at 8 AM PT and RSVP, here:

ABOUT LAURA

Laura Putnam, CEO of Motion Infusion & Author of Workplace Wellness That Works, is on a mission to leverage every workplace and every team to promote better health, happiness, and wellbeing. Subscribe to Laura’s newsletter to get 4 tangible ideas each month to infuse wellbeing at work and at home.