Recognising Learned Helplessness in the Workplace

In a recent LinkedIn post, our CEO, Rupen Kotecha, shared a powerful video of a classroom experiment highlighting how quickly learned helplessness can take root. The experiment illustrated how people, when faced with repeated failures or a perceived lack of control over their outcomes, begin to feel defeated, passive, and disengaged. This phenomenon, known as learned helplessness, can creep into workplaces if leaders aren’t careful, leading to a significant decline in team morale, productivity, and innovation.

 

As leaders, it’s crucial to be aware of the immense influence you have on your teams and how easily your actions, whether intentional or not, can contribute to this mindset. When employees feel powerless or micromanaged, they can quickly lose their sense of agency, resulting in decreased effort and productivity. The opposite of learned helplessness is empowerment, and it’s a leader’s job to cultivate an environment where employees feel confident, capable, and motivated to take ownership of their work.

 

Recognising Learned Helplessness in the Workplace

Learned helplessness often manifests subtly, with signs that can be easy to overlook. Employees may show a lack of initiative, avoid taking risks, or stop offering creative solutions to problems. You might notice them deferring every decision, no matter how small, to higher-ups because they fear making a mistake. This mindset is particularly harmful because it creates a vicious cycle: as employees become less engaged, leaders may step in with even more control, which only deepens the employees’ sense of helplessness.

 

Understanding this dynamic is the first step for leaders to take action. Leadership isn’t just about directing and managing tasks; it’s about fostering an environment where your team feels empowered to contribute meaningfully. Here are some concrete steps leaders can take to break the cycle of learned helplessness and cultivate a workplace that thrives on belief, growth, and success.

 

1. Encourage Autonomy

One of the most important ways to combat learned helplessness is by giving your employees a sense of control over their work. This means trusting them to make decisions, solve problems, and find their own paths to success. When leaders micromanage every detail, it signals to employees that their input isn’t valuable, which quickly leads to disengagement.

 

Instead, offer clear goals and objectives but give your team the freedom to determine how to reach those goals. Encouraging autonomy not only builds confidence but also fosters creativity and innovation, as team members are more likely to experiment and find unique solutions.

 

2. Promote a Growth Mindset

Leaders who actively encourage a growth mindset can transform how their teams perceive challenges. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. This contrasts with a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their abilities are static and unchangeable.

 

By promoting a growth mindset, leaders help employees see failures and setbacks as learning opportunities rather than indications of inadequacy. When employees believe they can grow and improve, they are more likely to take risks, be innovative, and overcome obstacles. Recognising not just the outcomes but also the process and effort behind the work sends a clear message that growth is valued over perfection.

 

3. Provide Support, Not Overreach

There is a fine line between supporting your team and stifling them. Employees need to feel that their leaders are there to provide guidance and mentorship, but they also need the space to figure things out on their own. Overly controlling leadership styles can lead to dependency, where employees feel they cannot make a move without approval.

 

To combat this, be a coach, not a micromanager. Offer guidance when needed, but allow your team to make decisions and take ownership of the outcomes. Support them when they fail and celebrate their successes. This not only builds their problem-solving abilities but also enhances their confidence and sense of responsibility.

 

4. Set Clear Expectations, But Be Flexible

Clear expectations are essential for any team to succeed, but too rigid an approach can stifle creativity. Providing employees with clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial, but it’s equally important to give them the flexibility to approach those goals in their own way. When employees have the freedom to explore different methods of achieving success, they are more likely to find innovative solutions and feel a deeper sense of ownership over their work.

 

5. Encourage Open Communication and Feedback

Another key to preventing learned helplessness is creating a culture of open communication. When employees feel safe to express their concerns, ask questions, or offer feedback, they are more likely to stay engaged and motivated. Leaders should actively seek feedback, both positive and negative, and ensure their team knows that their voices are heard and valued.

 

The Power of Communities Like WA Leaders

One of the best ways to combat learned helplessness in both leaders and teams is by fostering a supportive and growth-driven environment. Joining a community like WA Leaders offers immense benefits for leaders seeking to empower their teams and themselves. Communities like this provide access to mentors, peers, and experts who can help guide leaders through challenges, offering new perspectives and actionable strategies for overcoming obstacles.

 

When leaders engage with a community, they not only enhance their own development but also gain the tools and confidence to inspire the same growth in their teams. Mentorship and peer support ensure leaders are constantly learning and improving, which helps them foster an empowering environment where team members can thrive. Through shared knowledge, expertise, and collaboration, leaders gain insights that can be applied to build a positive and productive workplace culture.

 

In essence, joining a leadership community provides you with a sounding board of like-minded professionals who are dedicated to helping each other succeed. This peer support helps leaders remain engaged, avoid the pitfalls of learned helplessness, and continually push for success. The ripple effect of leadership empowerment in these communities ultimately enhances the success and productivity of entire organisations.

 

In summary

Leaders wield immense power to shape the mindset of their teams. By being mindful of how learned helplessness can manifest in the workplace and taking proactive steps to counteract it, leaders can foster a culture where employees feel empowered, capable, and motivated. Encouraging autonomy, promoting a growth mindset, providing support without overreach, and offering flexibility in how goals are achieved all contribute to a workplace where belief in one’s own abilities leads to success and productivity. Leadership is not just about managing tasks but about unlocking the potential of every individual on your team. Joining communities like WA Leaders ensures that you have the support, mentorship, and resources to build this type of workplace and foster ongoing growth for your team and organisation