Posing Positive Possibilities 

By Kyle Vowinkel
According to research from the Harvard Business Review, employees flourish under optimistic leaders who focus on possibilities rather than pitfalls. Such leaders spark creativity, critical thinking, and innovation, whereas negative framing often leads to fear, hesitation, and stagnation.
 
What proved effective in a high-stakes FBI operation can work just as well in your daily leadership: people respond more readily to communication that highlights opportunities and actionable solutions than to negative instructions. For instance, instead of saying, “Don’t miss the 4 p.m. deadline,” try, “Let’s ensure we deliver this before 4 p.m.” By framing your message in a positive light, you offer a clear path to success and instill confidence in your team.
 
After all, nobody likes to hear “No” or “You can’t do that.” A focus on possibilities energizes people, while a focus on limitations only holds them back.

Lead with Positive Possibilities Whether you’re negotiating during a life-or-death crisis, leading a work project, or nurturing relationships at home, the way you frame your message can be the difference between resistance and collaboration. Shifting your focus from pitfalls to possibilities inspires action, creativity, and trust. How do you frame your communications?
Case Study: The FBI Thanked the Kidnapper! It may sound unbelievable, but it truly happened. During one of the most intense kidnapping situations in FBI history, my unit—the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU)—persuaded Sheriff Wally Olson to publicly thank the man holding a five-year-old boy hostage in an underground bunker. This wasn’t a show of approval for the kidnapper’s actions—far from it. Instead, it was a calculated use of positively framed communication to de-escalate a volatile scenario and steer events toward a peaceful resolution.
 
The circumstances couldn’t have been more precarious: an enraged, isolated individual who distrusted authority, incensed further by a neighbor’s televised remark calling him “a ticking time bomb.” Recognizing the critical need to diffuse tension, my negotiation partner devised a brilliant strategy that leveraged the local sheriff’s standing. We asked him to publicly thank the suspect for “taking care of our child.” Though it sounded counterintuitive, this gesture seemed to temporarily lower emotions, allowing negotiations to proceed. The extra time proved vital: our leadership teams, tactical units, and CNU continued exploring rescue options, ultimately paving the way for a heroic Hostage Rescue Team operation—another story altogether.
 
How Can You Apply This? Whether you’re in the corporate boardroom or a high-consequence negotiation, the words you use and the tone you set can redirect the entire course of a conversation. Positive framing isn’t about ignoring problems; it’s about keeping rational thinking high and emotions low so that everyone has the best chance of reaching a beneficial outcome. When you shift from highlighting pitfalls to presenting possibilities, you create fertile ground for innovative ideas and shared victories. The next time you face a challenging project or conversation, remember the power of a well-chosen phrase—and watch how dramatically it reshapes your leadership and your relationships.
 
About the Author:
Kyle Vowinkel is a decorated former FBI executive, Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) operator, and skilled crisis negotiator who has successfully led in the most high-stakes environments. Now, as the founder of Elite Mindsets, Kyle empowers leaders with actionable strategies to navigate volatility, inspire teams, and achieve extraordinary outcomes.
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