Growth Mindset

Knowledge Building:

A growth mindset is defined as the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and perseverance.

People who exhibit a growth mindset not only show increased neural engagement during the learning process, they also tend to experience lower levels of stress and self-reported symptoms of psychological disease. Here are three key strategies to help leaders develop a growth mindset.

Strategy #1: Embrace Challenges

Instead of avoiding obstacles, see them as opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace challenges as chances to develop new skills and overcome limitations.

Strategy #2: Learn from Feedback

View feedback as valuable input for improvement rather than criticism. Embrace feedback, both positive and negative, as opportunities to refine your skills and enhance your performance.

Strategy #3: Cultivate Persistence

Maintain a resilient attitude in the face of setbacks and failures. Understand that setbacks are not permanent roadblocks but temporary hurdles on the path to success. Stay persistent in your efforts and continue striving for improvement.

By embracing challenges, learning from feedback, and cultivating persistence, leaders can develop a growth mindset that fuels personal and professional development.

Activity

Review the following tips and identify strategies to apply with your team.
  • If someone asks for a solution to a situation, instead of providing one option, try offering a “both and” solution. For example, instead of option 1 or 2, it can be a combination of both options.
  • Add the word "yet" to statements. For example, instead of saying, "I can't do this," they can say, "I can't do this yet."
  • Reflect on how this perspective can influence the way you communicate and support your team.
  • Self-Assessment

    Self-Assessment:(Required)
    Rate your current ability to exhibit a growth mindset 1-5 (5 highest).

    Challenge

    Implement a pitch, challenge, or innovation day where individuals propose and present a new idea(s) to the team to help drive innovation. Emphasize that the goal is not immediate success but rather the opportunity to learn and grow through facing challenges.