A successful SHOE company in Chicago sent its top 2 salesmen to Africa to study the market for a new campaign as they were trying to expand.
One of the salesman got scared as soon as he stepped foot in Africa, and took the next flight back to Chicago. The other one stayed there and came back to Chicago months later.
The CEO asked the second salesman why it took him that long to come back as the first salesman came back stating nobody wears shoes there, there is no market for us in Africa. The salesman listen very carefully and confidently said "Exactly! There is no market there, I created one. I sold all the shoes I had with me and we need more. I am going back there in two weeks".
Being positive in a negative situation is not naive. It’s leadership!