Hope and Leadership – Becoming a Dealer in Hope

In this episode of The Heart of Leadership, Mardere Berkel sits down with Dr. Lenora LeMay, an expert in the narrative conception of hope, to explore the role of hope in leadership. Drawing from her experience as an educator and researcher, Dr. LeMay emphasizes that hope is not just an abstract concept but an embodied process that helps people navigate challenges and move forward. Leaders, she argues, must be intentional in fostering hope within their teams, especially in times of uncertainty.

The discussion highlights that hope is different from optimism—it’s not the belief that everything will work out perfectly, but rather the conviction that, despite obstacles, meaning and progress are possible. Leaders must recognize the power of hope in shaping team morale and engagement, ensuring they are "dealers in hope" rather than "hope suckers." Through small actions, thoughtful reflection, and a focus on relationships, leaders can create an environment where hope thrives.

Key Leadership Insights from this Episode:

1. Hope is an Action, Not Just a Feeling – Leaders must actively create conditions for hope by acknowledging challenges while reinforcing belief in the future.
2. Hope and Fear Cannot Coexist – Fear paralyzes, while hope propels people forward. Leaders should address fears while fostering a shared vision of possibility.
3. Small Actions Build Hope – Instead of getting overwhelmed, leaders should focus on one small, meaningful action at a time to sustain momentum and encourage resilience.

Tune in to learn how you can cultivate hope in your leadership journey!

Our Guest:

Lenora Lemay holds an educational PhD that focuses on a narrative conception of hope, which she learned about in her daily interactions at an internationally recognized applied research centre. Lenora’s expertise, first as a classroom teacher and then, as a hope-focused practitioner and researcher, across disciplines, helps us to attend to meaningful and relevant ways of relating, acting, feeling, and thinking from a place of hope in our personal and professional lives.