Marcus Aurelius, the renowned Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, once said, “The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.” This timeless wisdom holds profound implications for us as leaders, especially as we navigate uncertain or challenging times. A crucial aspect of effective leadership lies in our ability to create a positive environment for our team, where thoughts and actions are imbued with optimism and resilience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson echoes this sentiment: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Enthusiasm, fueled by positive thinking, becomes a catalyst for innovation and productivity. A leader’s optimism and confidence in the face of adversity inspire and empower their team members to persevere and excel.
Research supports the profound impact of the work environment on performance. According to a Gallup study, teams with engaged and optimistic leaders experience a 21% increase in profitability. This statistic underscores the tangible benefits of fostering culture within organizations. When leaders prioritize cultivating a positive mindset and environment, they unlock their teams’ full potential, improving morale, creativity, and overall performance.
Moreover, impactful leaders encourage a culture of openness to feedback and continuous improvement. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Leaders who embrace feedback and encourage their teams to do the same create a dynamic where feedback becomes a catalyst for improvement and innovation.
Reflecting on this, I think about the high school and college-age color guard students I teach. We spin flags in a gym, creating productions that bring music and stories to life through dance and visual imagery. We always start the competitive season with a vision for what could be, making our way toward that vision with every practice. We focus on the possible, taking small steps forward each week. I can honestly say I didn’t always lead them in the most positive way. I learned through the old-school methods of fear and intimidation to get students to perform without error. Yes, it worked for those who could handle the stress or wanted to prove they were “tough enough” to make it. It created discipline, technical growth, and the ability to respond under pressure. But what it didn’t spark was creativity, innovation, or significant growth. It created a fear of mistakes and students unwilling to leave their comfort zone. I realized these students needed a leader who could grow their confidence, teach them to leverage their strengths, and recognize where they were on the journey – guiding them to the next step. Teenage lives are complicated. I didn’t need to add more anxiety or stress for an activity that was supposed to be fun!
My transition toward a growth mindset shifted how I work with my students. Controlling my emotions when things go wrong was vital. No more wearing every emotion I have on my sleeve. Learning to regulate and not just respond was the first step toward taking charge of my thoughts. This means taking time before I respond to something the color guard have just completed. My team knows to give me a minute to process my thoughts before asking for feedback. I challenge myself to look for the positive, even when I have to squint a little to see it. But I always hold them accountable and expect them to give me their best effort. We are a competitive activity, after all. I had to train myself that if I expect them to grow as performers, I need to push them out of their comfort zone, and that takes time to perfect. No one is good the first time. Finding the small wins is incredibly important.
The second mindset shift was seeing the value of everyone’s unique contributions rather than the challenges they may bring. I focus on “what CAN they do” versus “what CAN’T they do.” It challenged me to create a visual production that utilized all my students’ unique skills and abilities. It’s easy to create outstanding productions when everyone can be the star. But is that the reality on any of our teams? I don’t think so. Only some have the ability or want to be the star. Sometimes, they just need to be part of the team. My students work toward group goals, helping each other succeed in their specific roles. And they strive to do their best. By watching more experienced performers, they see what is possible, giving them something to work toward. However, they can also be confident and know they contributed in their own space. My job as their leader is to maximize each of their contributions to the benefit of the whole.
This mindset change has led us to some beautifully creative productions where the students have excelled. They contribute to the design process when I get “stuck.” They offer suggestions when something is not working the way I imagine it should. And they give their best each practice, helping us reach our goals together. I’ve been teaching this group since 2006. It took 10 years under the old method of teaching to win our first championship. Under a growth mindset and positive approach, the students were 2023 and 2024 champions, missing first place in only one competition over two years. This group of students is not the most talented I’ve ever instructed. But they have seen the most growth. Most importantly, they are also the most personally connected despite varying ages, backgrounds, and family situations. And I can honestly say that it has been the most rewarding as a leader, seeing my students achieve what just three years ago seemed impossible.
These same shifts in thinking have also transformed my professional life. Encouraging personal growth, fostering positive relationships, and seeing the possibility in team members have led to record results for the team in just three years. It has not been easy, and change has been constant. Process, staffing, and policy changes all create challenges that need resolution. Yet, we doubled our revenue in one year and have continued to reach new heights in every year following. We have unleashed their potential! It has been exciting to see the growth in multiple business areas simultaneously.
Leadership transcends mere direction; it encompasses the art of nurturing minds and souls. By fostering a positive environment, surrounding oneself with individuals who embrace growth and feedback, and embodying optimism in the face of challenges, leaders pave the way for their teams to thrive and achieve greatness. Put it into practice, and see how your team begins to flourish!
“Your attitude determines your altitude.” ~ John C. Maxwell
Hallway Consulting Group 
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