Berger Leadership Blog

I think we all know that a lot of success is mental – if you think you can do something, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding. But how can leaders affect their teams’ mindsets – 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 “talented” or a “genius,” they might start to hesitate to take risks. If, however, their approach to a problem is what’s praised, it could embolden them.
• Use the word “yet” more: If there is a problem, remember that you simply haven’t found the solution yet. You want to communicate that you believe your employees have potential – not that they have failed for good.
• Remember the big picture: Don’t 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 team’s work will reward them.