Recent research suggests that investors should factor in the optimism of an entrepreneur when designing financing packages. Launching a company is a risky business, with about half of all newly ...

How would you define optimism? Would you call it seeing the glass as half-full rather than half-empty? Perhaps say optimism is a positive attitude or the ability to see the bright side of a situation.

Can optimism ever be cruel? I came upon the phrase “cruel optimism” recently and couldn’t forget it. “Cruel optimism” seems like such a contradiction. After all, “optimism” is a word that shines with ...