Low Team Engagement Holding You Back? Here’s What You Can Do About It!

Have you ever felt like you or your team is stuck in a rut? Or perhaps they are not sufficiently energized to do their best work. High-performing employees want to feel empowered. Is it possible that your “we’ve always done it this way” culture creates apathy and generates employees who are just showing up for a paycheck? 

The culprit could be a fixed mindset, where company leaders or team members believe that how things have been done is the best and only way to succeed. However, by working towards fostering a growth mindset, you can unlock new potential, ignite a culture of learning and innovation, and empower high-potential employees to give you their best work every day.

Fixed vs. Growth: Understanding the Divide

A fixed mindset views talents and skills as static and risk as unnecessary and expensive, leading to fear of failure and resistance to change. Conversely, a growth mindset encourages experimentation and learning from mistakes – “try fast, fail fast.” Research by Carol Dweck, author of “Mindset,” shows that companies with a growth mindset culture outperform those with a fixed mindset by 30%.

Building Your Growth Mindset Team:

• Celebrate effort and progress, not just outcomes. Instead of praising clear, measurable success, acknowledge the hard work and learning that went into a project, even if it failed.  This motivates individuals to persevere even in the face of challenges. A 2023 study by Gallup found that employees who feel their effort is recognized are 14% more engaged.
• Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Encourage open discussions about projects that didn’t achieve the intended results and what changes could be made to achieve success. Use data and normalize learning from setbacks instead of fearing them. A Harvard Business Review study revealed that teams that learn from failure are 85% more likely to succeed than those who dwell on it.
• Challenge the status quo and encourage experimentation. Encourage team members to question existing approaches and propose new ideas. Provide opportunities for safe experimentation and learning from results. A 2022 McKinsey report found that companies with a strong innovation culture achieve 32% higher revenue growth than those without it.
• Encourage ongoing learning and development opportunities. Invest in your people. Encourage your team to seek out training and educational opportunities that help them expand their knowledge and skills. Make it a part of their annual goals and career blueprint.  A 2021 LinkedIn Learning report showed that employees with access to learning and development opportunities are 4 times more likely to stay with their company.

Invest in a Professional

While fostering a growth mindset takes time and effort, partnering with a professional business/marketing coach can accelerate the process.

A 2023 Forbes article states that 70% of businesses with coaches reported achieving their goals, compared to only 43% without. Imagine the impact a coach can have on your team’s growth and innovation!

 Start by identifying your biggest team challenge and seeking a professional marketing coach with relevant experience. Look for someone who aligns with your company’s culture and values. At Seriously Savvy, we specialize in coaching and empowering female entrepreneurs to overcome their unique business and leadership challenges.

Remember, fostering a growth mindset is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. By implementing these strategies and seeking professional support, you can create a team that thrives on learning, embraces challenges, consistently pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, and loves showing up to do their best work for you every day.

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Sources:

• Carol Dweck, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”
• Gallup, “How Recognizing Your Employees Can Boost Engagement”
• Harvard Business Review, “Why Companies Don’t Learn From Failure”
• McKinsey, “The State of American Business 2022: A Culture of Innovation”
• LinkedIn Learning, “Workforce Learning Report 2021”
• Forbes, “The ROI of Business Coaching”