What are the best ways to help your team develop a growth mindset?

1 Model a growth mindset

One of the most effective ways to help your team develop a growth mindset is to model it yourself. As a leader, you can show your team how you embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, seek feedback, and celebrate progress. You can also share your own learning goals and strategies, and ask your team to do the same. By doing this, you can create a culture of learning and growth in your team.

2 Provide constructive feedback

To help your team develop a growth mindset, providing constructive feedback that focuses on their efforts, strategies, and outcomes is essential. However, it is important to ensure that feedback is delivered well to avoid triggering stress and defensiveness. Therefore, you should give feedback regularly and timely, not just at performance reviews or when something goes wrong. Additionally, be specific and objective with examples and data to support your feedback. Balance positive and negative feedback, using growth-oriented language instead of labels and judgments. Inviting feedback from team members can also be beneficial – ask them how they think they did, what they learned, and what they need to work on.

3 Encourage collaboration and peer learning

A third way to help your team develop a growth mindset is to encourage collaboration and peer learning among your team members. This can foster a sense of belonging, support, and mutual growth in your team. To facilitate this, create opportunities for your team to work together on projects, tasks, and problems. Encourage them to share their knowledge, skills, and resources with each other. Promote a culture of curiosity, inquiry, and feedback among your team members and celebrate their achievements and contributions as a group.

4 Challenge your team with stretch goals

To help your team develop a growth mindset, you can challenge them with stretch goals. These should be ambitious, realistic, and meaningful. Align the stretch goals with the team's vision, mission, and values, and involve them in the goal-setting process. Break down the stretch goals into smaller subgoals with clear milestones and deadlines. Monitor and measure the progress and results of your team, providing feedback and recognition along the way. Adjust the stretch goals as needed based on the feedback and outcomes. This can motivate your team to go beyond their comfort zone, learn new skills, and achieve higher performance.

5 Support your team's well-being

A fifth way to help your team develop a growth mindset is to support their well-being. To prevent burnout, you can help your team balance their work and life, and promote healthy habits. Encourage them to communicate their availability, expectations, and needs, and respect their time and space. Remind them to take regular breaks during the day, and to use their vacation days to recharge and relax. Teach your team some mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, or journaling, and encourage them to practice them daily. Also, help your team cultivate gratitude for their achievements, learnings, and opportunities. And provide them with resources and support if they need it - such as coaching, counseling, or training - when they face difficulties or challenges.