---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When a leader is upbeat in the face of…"
description: "\"When a leader is upbeat in the face of discouraging circumstances, others admire that quality and want to be like her.\" — John C. Maxwell"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/john-c-maxwell-113_admire_when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-d_2995028.jpg"
---

#  When a leader is upbeat in the face of discouraging…

![“When a leader is upbeat in the face of discouraging circumstances, others admire that quality and want to be like her.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/john-c-maxwell-113_admire_when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-d_2995028.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/john-c-maxwell-113_admire_when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-d_2995028.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/john-c-maxwell-113_admire_when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-d_2995028.jpg)

> “When a leader is upbeat in the face of discouraging circumstances, others admire that quality and want to be like her.”

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Optimistic leaders inspire others to emulate their resilience.

**In simple terms:** Positive leadership inspires others.

Key Takeaway

Lead with optimism.

Themes

leadership optimism inspiration

Mood

encouraging confident

Type

leadership motivational

When to use this quote

- team building
- crisis management
- coaching

Key Concepts

resilience role modeling motivation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can leaders balance optimism with realism?
- What actions reinforce a leader’s credibility?

A Different Perspective

Optimism alone may not solve problems.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Admire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admire/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Circumstances Admire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances-admire-4727199/) [Discouraging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraging/) [Discouraging Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraging-circumstances-4727200/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leader Upbeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader-upbeat-3125835/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Like her](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-her/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Upbeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upbeat/) [Upbeat Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upbeat-face-4727198/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/)

## Related quotes

> [“You can admire the way someone meets hard circumstances, but you can't admire him because of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-harrower/you-can-admire-the-way-someone-meets-hard-circumstances-but-you-can-t/)

[Elizabeth Harrower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-harrower/)

> [“A leader's upbeat mood metaphorically oxygenates the blood of followers—its' a transfusion into the corporate arteries.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruna-martinuzzi/a-leader-s-upbeat-mood-metaphorically-oxygenates-the-blood-of/)

[Bruna Martinuzzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruna-martinuzzi/)

> [If you want to be positive, upbeat, and passionate, you need to take responsibility for being that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-be-positive-upbeat-and-passionate-you-need-to-take/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [You are not doomed to reproduce what your ancestors have done. The son will not be like his father, the daughter will not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pascal-bruckner/you-are-not-doomed-to-reproduce-what-your-ancestors-have-done-the-son/)

[Pascal Bruckner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pascal-bruckner/)

> [I have a girl crush on Rachel Bilson. She's so cute, I just want to put her in my pocket. I love her style,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-chando/i-have-a-girl-crush-on-rachel-bilson-she-s-so-cute-i-just-want-to-put/)

[Alexandra Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-chando/)

> [No one ever addresses the possibility that a writer might not like her book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-gould/no-one-ever-addresses-the-possibility-that-a-writer-might-not-like/)

[Emily Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-gould/)

> [8 year old young girl came up to me when I went to speak at an elementary school, and she gave me a drawing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/8-year-old-young-girl-came-up-to-me-when-i-went-to-speak-at-an/)

[Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/)

> [Each of is an arm of Kannon, enabling Kannon to do her work. Like her, we're also overwhelmed, but when we reallize that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-glassman/each-of-is-an-arm-of-kannon-enabling-kannon-to-do-her-work-like-her/)

[Bernie Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-glassman/)

> [I never knew anyone who came close to Marilyn in natural ability to use both photographer and still camera. She was special in this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-arnold/i-never-knew-anyone-who-came-close-to-marilyn-in-natural-ability-to/)

[Eve Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-arnold/)

> [It's not my goal, definitely. I mean, I don't think it's something I can really achieve. Definitely she's a great champion - she has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petra-kvitova/it-s-not-my-goal-definitely-i-mean-i-don-t-think-it-s-something-i-can/)

[Petra Kvitova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petra-kvitova/)

> [Each time I spend with Stella McCartney, I like her better. So I was excited to be asked by her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/each-time-i-spend-with-stella-mccartney-i-like-her-better-so-i-was/)

[Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/)

> [She kissed her way into society. I don't like her. But don't misunderstand me: my dislike is purely platonic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-beerbohm-tree/she-kissed-her-way-into-society-i-don-t-like-her-but-don-t/)

[Herbert Beerbohm Tree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-beerbohm-tree/)

> [I was a huge Ann-Margret fan, and I wanted to be like her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-adams/i-was-a-huge-ann-margret-fan-and-i-wanted-to-be-like-her/)

[Amy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-adams/)

> [Learning is like a cow of desire. It, like her, yields in all seasons. Like a mother, it feeds you on your journey. Therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/learning-is-like-a-cow-of-desire-it-like-her-yields-in-all-seasons/)

[Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/)

> [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/)

[Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/)

## More by John C. Maxwell

> [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

[Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## More Admire quotes

> [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/)

[Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/)

> [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/)

[Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/)

> [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/)

[Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/)

> [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/)

[Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/)

> [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/)

[John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/)

> [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/)

[Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/)

> [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/)

[Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/)

> [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/)

[Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/)

> [Part of what we admire about a painting or a piece of music is the order which the artist has imposed upon what would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/part-of-what-we-admire-about-a-painting-or-a-piece-of-music-is-the/)

[Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/)

> [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/)

[Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/)

> [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/)

[Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/)

> [“The thing I admire most about you is no matter how hard, or how much the world has tried to beat you, break you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-gill/the-thing-i-admire-most-about-you-is-no-matter-how-hard-or-how-much/)

[Nikita Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-gill/)

[Browse all 2,369 Admire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admire/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When a leader is upbeat in the face of discouraging circumstances, others admire that quality and want to be like her.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John C. Maxwell"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-discouraging-circumstances/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Admire"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-discouraging-circumstances/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/john-c-maxwell-113_admire_when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-d_2995028.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/john-c-maxwell-113_admire_when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-d_2995028.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/john-c-maxwell-113_admire_when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-d_2995028.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When a leader is upbeat in the face of discouraging circumstances, others admire that quality and want to be…” — John C. Maxwell",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John C. Maxwell",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When a leader is upbeat in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-discouraging-circumstances/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/when-a-leader-is-upbeat-in-the-face-of-discouraging-circumstances/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
