In today’s competitive workplace, the difference between good and exceptional teams often comes down to one critical factor: attitude. According to a recent McKinsey study, teams with positive mindsets outperform their peers by 23% on key performance metrics. So how do you cultivate this winning attitude—both in yourself and your team? Let’s dive in.

1. Embrace a Growth Mindset Framework

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck‘s research shows that individuals with a growth mindset—those who believe abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—are more likely to achieve success than those with a fixed mindset.

Put it into practice: Start team meetings with a quick “failure round” where each person shares a recent mistake and what they learned. A 2023 study from Harvard Business Review found that teams that normalized failure experienced a 41% increase in innovation output.

Resource: Dweck’s book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” provides practical exercises for developing a growth mindset. For a quicker introduction, check out her TED Talk “The Power of Believing You Can Improve,” which has over 11 million views.

2. Implement Strategic Reflection Cycles

Winners don’t just work hard—they work smart by consistently reflecting on their process.

Put it into practice: Implement a “Friday Fifteen” where team members spend 15 minutes reflecting on three questions:

• What went well this week?
• What could have gone better?
• What will I do differently next week?

Research from the University of Texas shows that teams practicing structured reflection improve performance by up to 25% compared to teams that simply “work harder.”

Resource: The “Reflect” app (available on iOS and Android) offers guided reflection templates specifically designed for professional development.

3. Cultivate Deliberate Optimism

Optimism isn’t about ignoring challenges—it’s about approaching them with confidence and solution-oriented thinking.

Put it into practice: Institute the “1:3 Rule” in problem-solving discussions—for every challenge mentioned, require three potential solutions. This simple practice prevents complaint sessions and builds a team culture focused on possibilities rather than limitations.

According to research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, teams trained in optimistic thinking showed 31% higher productivity levels and reported 55% less stress during high-pressure projects.

Resource: Martin Seligman’s “Learned Optimism” provides evidence-based techniques for developing this skill, with assessments to measure your progress.

4. Build Resilience Through Micro-Challenges

Resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks—isn’t innate; it’s built through practice.

Put it into practice: Create monthly “stretch assignments” that push team members slightly beyond their comfort zones. These controlled challenges build confidence and adaptability in a supportive environment.

A longitudinal study from the Center for Creative Leadership found that professionals who regularly tackled stretch assignments showed 37% greater career advancement over five years than their peers.

Resource: The “Resilience Factor” by Karen Reivich offers practical exercises for building this critical skill, including the popular “ABC” technique (Adversity-Beliefs-Consequences) for managing reactions to challenges.

5. Harness the Power of Team Rituals

High-performing teams don’t happen by accident—they’re cultivated through intentional habits and rituals that reinforce their identity as winners.

Put it into practice: Establish a “Victory Wall” where team accomplishments (both large and small) are visibly celebrated. According to research from Deloitte, teams that regularly celebrate incremental wins report 34% higher engagement and 26% lower turnover.

Resource: The “High-Performing Team Assessment” from the Table Group provides a structured framework for evaluating and enhancing team dynamics.

Your Next Step

Remember: a winner’s attitude isn’t about never failing—it’s about how you respond to those failures. As UCLA basketball coach John Wooden famously said, “Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.”

Which of these strategies will you implement first? Reply to this email and let us know—we’d love to hear about your journey toward building a team with a winner’s attitude.

Whenever you are ready, there are 2 ways I can help:

👉Follow me on LinkedIn: Join 73,000+ other leaders to learn the specific strategies to engineer your ideal life through mindset, habits, and systems. Click HERE to follow me.

👉 High-Performance Coaching:  I help busy healthcare executives lead high performing teams with scientifically-backed systems and habits. Click HERE for a free 30-minute strategy session. Together, we’ll pave the way to your success