Do the tiniest habits of a team help its performance and happiness? Absolutely they do.

Remember that extraordinary story in James Clear's book _Atomic Habits_ about habits transforming the British cycling team?

At one time this cycling team was lacklustre, to say the least. But, a new coach had them adopt the principle of small gains, focusing on marginal improvements in _every aspect_ of their training and racing.

In a nutshell the British cycling team adopted:

- **Identity-based habits** , visualising themselves as champions and committing to the behaviours of elite athletes.

- **Habit stacking** , by integrating new routines into their training regime.

- **A** **redesign of their environment** to cultivate a culture of excellence.

The results were nothing short of extraordinary. Over 10 years British cyclists had a history-making run of success, winning 178 world championships, 66 gold Olympic and Paralympic medals, and five Tour de France victories.

What’s the message here?

It’s that one or two major transformations may not lift your team performance and happiness as powerfully as **dozens of small, seemingly insignificant habits.**

In this article, we explore five pivotal concepts that James Clear is famous for, and some he expanded upon at his 3-hour in-person event [**_Atomic Habits - James Clear LIVE._**](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/JamesClearAtomicHabitsevent)[ **__**](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/event.php?eventId=a1J9g000000N1oQEAS)

**1\. The Power of Tiny Gains: Marginal Improvements for the Win**

As James Clear says in one of [our favourite quotes](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/topquotesatomichabits): _"Too often we convince ourselves that massive results require massive action."_

Instead, think big but go small\! We saw how the British Cycling Team's "aggregation of marginal gains," demonstrated the transformative potential of making small improvements consistently.

Teams that adopt this concept shift their focus away from seeking monumental breakthroughs and instead channel their energy into making tiny but deliberate progress each day.

**Why it Matters**

Humans are known to have an innate urge toward progress. As a result, we will thrive on a positive reinforcement loop if we celebrate the smallest victories. And consistent progress and improvement, even if incremental, leads to exponential growth over time.

By embracing this principle, your team can avoid the pressure of tackling huge goals in one bite or achieving instant success, which can be daunting and demotivating.

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**How it Improves Happiness and Performance**

With each team member contributing to the collective effort of small gains, a sense of ownership and pride emerges. Like the cycling team, your team’s joy of witnessing tangible progress will fuel team morale and foster a growth mindset.

As well, this approach leads to enhanced team confidence, as you witness first hand your ability to overcome challenges. As James Clear will expand upon in his Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland in-person events in September, your team's overall performance may lift to new heights by implementing very small \(atomic\) habits.

**2\. Building Keystone Habits: The Catalyst for Transformation**

James Clear explains keystone habits \(named in Charles Duhigg’s [The Power of Habit](https://charlesduhigg.com/the-power-of-habit/)\) as certain habits or routines that lead to a cascade of other actions because of them.

A good example of a keystone habit in a work team is the practice of **effective communication** within the team. Team members openly share ideas, information, and feedback. This has a ripple effect, influencing other aspects of team dynamics and individual behaviour.

Other keystone habits in a team might include:

- Prioritising tasks to focus on critical activities.

- Continuous learning and skill development.

- Embracing feedback and constructive criticism.

**Why it Matters**

Identifying and cultivating keystone habits allows teams to focus on a few key actions that have that ripple effect on their collective success. For example, when team members communicate effectively, there is clear understanding, and less room for misunderstandings or misinterpretations.

**How it Improves Happiness and Performance**

Keystone habits create a sense of purpose and direction within the team. As an example, when individuals feel heard and respected, they are more likely to trust their colleagues, leading to stronger working relationships and a more positive team culture.

A team with good communication experiences higher levels of employee satisfaction. Employees feel valued and included, leading to higher levels of engagement, and reduced turnover rates.

**3\. Embracing Identity-Based Habits: Becoming the Best Version of the Team**

_"Your habits shape your identity, and your identity shapes your habits."_ – James Clear

One of Clear's most popular concepts is how aligning our actions with **our desired identities** can lead to profound transformation. By viewing habits as an expression of who they aspire to be, your team can harness this power of identity to rocket-boost positive change.

**Why it Matters**

When your team \(or teams\) sees itself or themselves as high-performing and successful entities, they are more likely to adopt **habits that align** with that self-perception.

- _“As a team destined for greatness, we turn challenges into opportunities."_

- _"With our growth mindset, setbacks are just hurdles to jump over."_

- _"As a team of achievers, we rise above and make the impossible possible."_

- _"United in success, we support and celebrate each other's victories."_

By shifting the focus from specific outcomes to embodying the qualities of the desired identity, teams can sustain motivation in the face of challenges.

**How it Improves Happiness and Performance**

When team members align their actions with their identity as a high-achieving team, they experience a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Look at how the All Blacks came to dominate World Rugby by adopting [15 mantras](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/summaryLegacyAllBlacksJamesKerrbook). These habits and behaviours \(such as “Keep a blue head”, i.e., stay cool and calm under pressure\) were in line with a vision of “making a team of leaders.” As the All Blacks began to reinforce their identity as leaders, they lifted their self-belief, resilience, and performance.

With identity-based habits the team operates at its best, as individual members strive to uphold the standards of the identity they collectively cherish.

**4\. Employing Habit Stacking: Forging a Chain of Success**

Habit stacking involves attaching new habits to existing routines, making it easier for teams to seamlessly integrate positive behaviours into their daily lives. By capitalising on existing habits, teams can effortlessly create powerful routines.

Examples might include:

- **Daily stand-up and gratitude** : At the end of each stand-up, team members can take a moment to share something they are grateful for, whether it's related to work or personal life.

- **Online check-in and physical activity:** Remote worker teams habit stack a plan for physical activity during their daily check-ins. It could be a quick stretch routine, a short walk, or some desk exercises.

- **Lunch and learns:** Once a week while having lunch, pair it with an online learning session. \(Check out our [2023 line-up of live virtual and in-person events](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/event.php?eventId=a1J4G000008xoC7&promoCode=Blog&utm_source=TGF&utm_medium=blog)\).

- **Feedback sessions and growth mindset** : During feedback sessions, team members can incorporate a habit stack of fostering a growth mindset. After providing constructive feedback, they can encourage each other to embrace the feedback as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

**Why it Matters**

Introducing new habits can be challenging, as it requires significant effort and mental energy to establish them from scratch.

Habit stacking alleviates this burden by attaching the desired habits to pre-existing ones, capitalising on the team's current behaviour patterns.

**How it Improves Happiness and Performance**

The ease of habit stacking allows teams to adopt new behaviours without disrupting their existing flow. Or it can enhance their experience at work.

Let's take the example of habit stacking with “lunch and learns.” Lunch and learns provide a virtual space for team members to come together, interact, and engage in conversations outside of work tasks. This social connection promotes a sense of camaraderie and community, enhancing team morale and happiness.

As well, offering lunch and learns as a habit shows that the organisation values its employees' growth and development.

**5\. Redesigning the Environment: Crafting a Culture of Success**

_"If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you, the problem is your system."_ – James Clear

James Clear's concept of environment design emphasises shaping the team's surroundings to make positive habits more accessible while discouraging negative behaviours. By carefully curating the team's environment, leaders can create a culture that fosters continuous growth.

A couple of ideas:

- **Make success stories public and obvious.** Use team collaboration platforms to celebrate wins and acknowledge team members who embody positive habits.

- **Ensure that digital files and resources are well-organised** and easily accessible. Encourage team members to use productivity tools and templates to streamline workflows.

- **Align team incentives with positive habits.** Reward team members who consistently demonstrate desired behaviours with [opportunities for professional growth](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/event.php?eventId=a1J9g000000QkkpEAC), bonuses, or additional benefits.

**Why it Matters**

As the famous saying goes, _“You get what you reward_. Research shows providing positive consequences for employee performance does a lot to enhance that performance.

The environment \(i.e., your leaders, your workplace, and your workplace culture\) exerts a powerful influence on individual behaviour and group dynamics.

By proactively designing the team's surroundings to promote desired habits and values, leaders can steer their teams toward success.

**How it Improves Happiness and Performance**

A conducive environment cultivates an atmosphere of shared values and aspirations.

For example, supporting team members to grow their career demonstrates that the organisation values their aspirations, boosting morale and commitment.

Or offering a flexible environment empowers team members to balance personal and professional aspirations, leading to greater job satisfaction and dedication to their roles.

Meanwhile, a feedback-rich environment, where team members receive constructive feedback and support from leaders and peers, shows team members they are valued and worth investing in.

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Happy Teams, High Performance: 2 Prizes of Atomic Habits

Discover James Clear’s Powerful Method Of Making Small Changes to Improve Teams

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Stay Inspired

Happy Teams, High Performance: 2 Prizes of Atomic Habits

Discover James Clear’s Powerful Method Of Making Small Changes to Improve Teams

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired