5 tips on how to create a positive mindset in your team

Building a positive mindset within your team may not always easy, but it’s important as it can help a team to remain productive, motivate other team members and ultimately achieve organisational objectives. In this blog we look at five tips on how to create a positive mindset in your team.

1. Identify and do more of what is already working

An appreciative enquiry is a way of looking at organisational change which focuses on identifying and doing more of what is already working, rather than looking for problems and trying to fix them.

It focuses on the core strengths of an organisation and then using those strengths to reshape the future. The same logic can be applied when looking at how we deal with emotionally challenging situations; remembering how we coped positively previously may help us with our approach to further challenges.

2. Enable your team

In certain scenarios, removing stressors can be achieved by sharing workload or asking for help from supportive team members. Helping people to feel in control, can help them to cope better when faced with difficulties such as stress.

However, stress cannot always be eliminated so encouraging people to share problems with other members of the team can help. This may enable an alternative solution to be found or allow the challenge to be viewed from a more positive perspective.

3. How do you demonstrate a positive mindset?

Communication is key in creating a positive mindset in your team and should work both ways:

• It’s important that team members feel confident to put forward their point of view in the knowledge that it will be considered.
• Team leaders should be able to put forward their views incorporating their own views and that of their team.

While assertive communication techniques cannot guarantee positive reactions, they are usually more effective.

If communications are open, straightforward and earnest, you can communicate your message as clearly as possible without embedding any other underlying or hidden messages. It can help strengthen relationships, solve problems more effectively, and reduce negative emotions such as anger, frustration, guilt and fear.

To demonstrate a positive mindset through communication you should:

• Take ownership of your feelings and behaviours and don't blame others.
• Speak in a calm, clear and steady voice.
• Show interest and sincerity by keeping eye contact, smiling and nodding as appropriate and maintaining an open and relaxed posture.
• Communicate your feelings and needs appropriately.
• Communicate respect for others.
• Ask for what you need rather than demanding it.
• Ask questions to understand other people’s perspectives.
• Listen without interrupting.
• Before saying no, respectfully ask why the request is being made to determine if you can meet the underlying need.

4. What are good team building activities creating a positive mindset?

Practising mindfulness in the workplace can be a game-changer for create a positive mindset. This can be achieved through:

• Mindful meetings and breaks: incorporate short mindfulness exercises before meetings or during breaks to reduce stress and enhance focus.
• Creating a calm workspace: personalise work areas with elements that encourage a peaceful and mindful atmosphere.
• Consistent practice for better concentration: regular mindfulness activities can improve concentration, leading to more effective work performance.

5. How do you build a resilient team?

Resilient teams know that change is inevitable, and they plan the resources, personally and professionally, to adapt well consistently and positively to challenging experiences or situations. The future of successful teams will depend not only on talent and strategy, but how they work together to handle pace and stimulation that is unlikely to slow down.

Whilst there are many external pressures on teams and organisations that we may not be able to control, there are also a lot of things that we can influence and change. Many teams get stuck on the negatives and what they can't influence, putting all their energy into feeling helpless and powerless, which isn’t helpful for them, for their collective health and wellbeing, or for the organisation.

The Building team resilience at work course features a range of helpful tools and strategies to help improve your team’s ability to withstand and recover from challenges including techniques for managing stress, fostering a positive mindset, improving self-care, developing effective communication skills, and problem-solving approaches.