Because failure is expected, people stop striving for success. They are, in effect, paralyzed by their expectations. The antithesis of the downward spiral is the idea of radiating possibilities. When someone radiates possibilities, Zander says, their eyes shine, their energy is high and they believe that anything is possible. When we perceive events such as the fall of the Berlin wall, or the release of Nelson Mandela, we cannot help but think that difficult things are possible.
Opportunities are abundant.
When these concepts are applied to organizational leadership, the result is an environment where everyone is a contributor whose ideas and opinions are valued, no obstacle is insurmountable, and no possibility is dismissed out of hand. Zander illustrates this example using the conductor of an orchestra. The conductor makes no sound, but is vital to the performance of the music. People want to help each other succeed because they are all working toward a common goal. Leaders cannot be appointed, Zander told the audience, they must identify themselves.