I think we all know that a lot of success is mental – if you think you can do something, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding. But how can leaders affect their teams’ mindsets – for better, or worse?

According to a Forbes article reviewing a recent book from Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, titled Mindset, what a leader says to his or her team can make a big difference. Here is some of her advice:

• Focus on the process rather than the person: If someone is always praised for being “talented” or a “genius,” they might start to hesitate to take risks. If, however, their approach to a problem is what’s praised, it could embolden them.
• Use the word “yet” more: If there is a problem, remember that you simply haven’t found the solution yet. You want to communicate that you believe your employees have potential – not that they have failed for good.