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Dodgers' Secret Sauce: 'The Power of Positive Leadership'
Positive leadership isn't merely a "nice" approach; it's the foundation for building a strong culture.
Winning a championship is the ultimate testament to the power of collective commitment within an organization. Behind the glamour of a championship win lies countless hours of dedication, sacrifice, and resilience, away from the public eye.
In a thrilling comeback last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their 8th World Series franchise title with a dramatic 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5. This win was years in the making, built on a foundation of belief, perseverance, grit, and a culture of positivity fostered by manager Dave Roberts.
In the champagne-soaked visiting clubhouse of Yankee Stadium, the Dodgers celebrated a season marked by hard work and determination. All-Star Mookie Betts, amidst the cheers, expressed what many felt: "To be honest, Dave is the real reason why we're here... Doc is the best, man. Doc loves each and every person in here... Doc never lost confidence in anybody in here. And no matter what we went through, he was always positive."
Since taking over as manager in 2016, Roberts has infused the Dodgers with a positivity that has become the backbone of their culture. This season, his approach was more vital than ever, as the Dodgers faced injuries, lineup changes, and off-field challenges. As Dodgers' president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman put it, "This year we had more adversity... and for [Roberts] to continue to breathe that optimism... I think was a meaningful part of us finishing strong."
Roberts’ commitment to positivity has empowered his players to focus on what they could control, rather than be weighed down by setbacks. His optimism hasn’t been blind faith — it’s been a deliberate choice to uplift the team and channel their energy toward finding a way and solutions.
Bestselling author Jon Gordon, in The Power of Positive Leadership, highlights, "We are not positive because life is easy. We are positive because life can be hard." For leaders like Roberts, positivity is a means to face challenges head-on, with deeper resilience and purpose.
Gordon’s frameworks on positive leadership align with Roberts’ approach:
Positive leaders drive positive cultures.
Positive leaders create and share a positive vision.
Positive leaders lead with optimism, positivity, and belief.
Positive leaders confront, transform, and remove negativity.
Positive leaders create united and connected teams.
Positive leaders build great relationships and teams.
Positive leaders pursue excellence.
Positive leaders lead with purpose.
Positive leaders have grit.
Dave Roberts’ journey with the Dodgers embodies the power of positive leadership. Positive leadership isn't merely a "nice" approach; it's the foundation for building a strong culture, fostering unity in adversity, and inspiring deep commitment and connection—all while driving excellence and exceptional outcomes.
Now, ask yourself: How can you cultivate this championship mindset of positivity in your own leadership and life?
