For organisations that tackle grand societal challenges, hope can be a double-edged sword

Non-profit organisations, medical institutions, think tanks, and companies’ corporate social responsibility teams many times attempt to tackle big challenges such as climate change, social inequity, and finding the cure for illnesses. In these situations, emotions are likely to mount when setbacks are encountered. Katina Sawyer and Judith Clair write that propagating hopeful thoughts and behaviours may help organisations tackle big challenges. But when hope cultures start to wane in strength, they can act as a double-edged sword.