It’s All in Your Head
I think we all know that a lot of success is mental â if you think you can do something, youâÂÂll have a better chance of succeeding. But how can leaders affect their teamsâ mindsets â for better, or worse?
According to a Forbes article reviewing a recent book from Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, titled Mindset, what a leader says to his or her team can make a big difference. Here is some of her advice:
- Focus on the process rather than the person: If someone is always praised for being âÂÂtalentedâ or a âÂÂgenius,â they might start to hesitate to take risks. If, however, their approach to a problem is whatâÂÂs praised, it could embolden them.
- Use the word âÂÂyetâ more: If there is a problem, remember that you simply havenâÂÂt found the solution yet. You want to communicate that you believe your employees have potential â not that they have failed for good.
- Remember the big picture: DonâÂÂt forget about performance indicators that show improvement over time, even if there are ups and downs in the short term.
Thinking positively and speaking positively can lead to good results from your team. When leaders remember to keep a positive, long-term perspective, the results from their teamâÂÂs work will reward them.