Redefining optimism in Hope Is a Strategy
The title of Ian B. Pettigrew’s Hope Is a Strategy initially made me smile. We’ve all heard the phrase “hope is not a strategy”, usually deployed to encourage better planning or more decisive action. So, I was curious to discover how Ian intended to turn that familiar wisdom on its head.
By the end of the book, I understood exactly what he meant.
| Title: | Hope Is A Strategy |
| Auth:or | Ian B Pettigrew |
| Published By: | Practical Inspiration Publishing |
| Published: | 9 Dec. 2025 |
| ISBN: | 978-1788606615 |
The key insight is that the book isn’t advocating wishful thinking. Nor is it promoting the increasingly fashionable idea that simply visualising success is enough to make it happen. Pettigrew draws an important distinction between passive hope, where we wait for circumstances to improve, and purposeful hope, which is rooted in clear goals, deliberate action and personal responsibility. Hope, in this context, becomes something we do rather than something we merely feel.
As I read, I found myself reflecting on how often optimism is misunderstood in organisations. It’s easy to dismiss hopeful people as unrealistic, yet equally easy to mistake activity for progress. Pettigrew argues convincingly that genuine hope sits somewhere in the middle. It acknowledges reality, accepts obstacles and still chooses to move forward with intent.
What makes the book particularly engaging is its practicality. Throughout the chapters, Ian introduces models, frameworks and step-by-step approaches that help translate the concept into everyday action. Rather than leaving readers with an inspiring idea, he provides tools for putting that idea into practice, making the book feel as useful as it is thought-provoking.
Alongside the practical guidance is a generous amount of personal reflection. Ian shares stories from his own life, including his experiences with health, fitness and wellbeing, alongside his work with charities and the NHS. These moments give the book warmth and authenticity, grounding the ideas in lived experience rather than abstract theory.
The book never suggests that hope alone is enough. Instead, it reframes hope as the mindset that sustains meaningful action, particularly when progress is slow or the outcome uncertain. In doing so, it rescues the concept from cliché and restores it as something both practical and purposeful.
It’s easy to see why Hope Is a Strategy has been shortlisted for Leadership Book of the Year at the Business Book Awards. It offers a refreshing perspective on a familiar idea, combining thoughtful reflection with practical guidance that leaders can apply immediately.
If you’re looking for a leadership book that balances optimism with action, Hope Is a Strategy is well worth adding to your reading list.
