Whenever I deliver a What’s Going Well? keynote, someone almost always raises their hand and asks:
“Greg, what about toxic positivity?”
It’s a fair question. And here’s the reality I’ve seen after working with thousands of people and organizations: very few people are actually harmed by being “too positive.” What wears teams down far more often is something else entirely. Toxic negativity. The constant drip of fear, cynicism, and worst-case thinking that drains energy from every room it enters.
Before labeling every hopeful mindset as toxic, we need a clearer understanding of what we’re discussing.
The Three Mindsets at Play
Toxic positivity occurs when we use cheerfulness as a shield rather than a tool. It is pretending to be fine when you are not. It is pushing away pain instead of acknowledging it.
Toxic negativity emerges when we expect failure before we've even made an effort, assume bad intent, or let fear do our talking. This mindset keeps teams stuck, cautious, and exhausted.
Healthy positivity is something very different. It is the willingness to face hard moments with clarity and courage. It is choosing a grounded sense of hope. It is responding to difficulty, not denying it.
Healthy positivity sees reality and still chooses possibility.
The Question That Changes the Room
I often ask audiences a simple question:
“Has being optimistic about your health, your family, or your work ever harmed you?”
I have never heard anyone answer yes.
Optimism does not make you blind. Optimism gives you fuel. It moves you forward when circumstances try to pull you back. It strengthens your capacity to engage with reality, rather than shrinking from it.
What What’s Going Well? Actually Does
The exercise is not about pretending everything is perfect. It is about training your mind to notice the full picture.
It acknowledges the struggle. Life brings storms. Teams face setbacks. Families go through seasons that test them. Ignoring this does not build resilience.
It notices the positives. Even in the middle of a challenge, there are small wins, moments of connection, and signs of progress. Healthy positivity helps you see them.
It builds resilience. By noticing what works, you strengthen your ability to face what doesn't. Hope becomes a habit. Confidence becomes a skill.
“ What’s Going Well?" is not an escape. It is a strategy.
The Bottom Line
Toxic positivity is a real phenomenon, but it is distinct from adopting a hopeful mindset. Asking What’s going well? does not make you naïve. It makes you resilient. It makes you awake. It keeps you from being overwhelmed by the weight of the negative.
Every season brings challenges. Every season brings gifts. The work is to acknowledge the hard things and water the good things.
If your team is ready for a keynote that inspires resilience, clarity, and strength in the face of any challenge, let’s connect.