Mindset drives your performance. This is true for how well you live your life and for how well you lead others.

First, let's take a look at what mindset is. Mindset is your thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes about yourself and the world around you. When you are able to make a shift in your mindset and see the world in a new light then the things around you start to change. 

The mindset of a leader is the belief that your team is capable of accomplishing great things. It is believing in a future of possibilities rather than doubt. Here are 5 key characteristics that will help you develop this mindset. 

1. Confidence with humility. You need to have a strong sense of confidence in yourself in what you are capable of achieving. As well as confidence in your team members to meet the standards that have been set. Confidence alone is not enough. You need to also have humility in not thinking that you are better than others. Also, having the humility to learn new things, ask for help, and admit when you are wrong.

2. Growth mindset. As a leader, you need to be consistently looking to develop yourself. This mindset is having a belief that you can develop your skills with effort. Others will see that you have this and embrace it themselves. 

3. See challenges as opportunities. Challenges are bound to arise in any leadership experience. When you view these challenges as opportunities then things start to change. You start to see new possibilities that you may have missed before. This can lead to finding new solutions. You also learn important lessons that will make you a stronger leader.

4. Take ownership and give credit. Have a mindset that when things go wrong it is ultimately on you as the leader. This allows you to own it and learn from it and move on. Others will appreciate and respect you for it. When you make excuses or blame others you are doing yourself and the team a disservice. When things go right be quick to give your teammates the credit that they deserve. 

5. Be optimistic. People want to be around positive and optimistic people. It has been also shown to improve individual and team performance. As a leader, you want to create a positive company culture and this starts with your own mindset as a leader.

Making a small shift in even one of these areas can have a massive impact on your performance. Be aware of your mindset and continually look to improve it!