Do You Have A Growth Mindset?
Dexter Demoral
Learning & Quality Management Professional. Consultant. Entrepreneur. Creator. Maximizer.
"Growth Mindset" has been a buzz phrase lately in corporate circles, but contrary to the belief that it is just a recent corporate fad, the concept has existed for over 30 years. It was conceptualized by Carol Susan Dweck, a renowned American psychologist who conducted extensive research and experiments on mindsets, among other topics. Her studies have been corroborated by various developments in the field of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
In a nutshell, Carol Dweck conducted experiments involving children and their reactions to different types of puzzles. Dweck observed children as they tackled a series of puzzles that increased in difficulty. Initially, all the children enjoyed the tasks, but their reactions diverged as the puzzles became more challenging. Some children were easily discouraged when they encountered difficult puzzles. They tended to give up quickly and lost interest, showing discomfort and avoidance of tasks that challenged their perceived intelligence limits. Conversely, other children relished the challenge. They remained highly engaged and interested, even when the puzzles were too difficult to solve immediately. These children expressed a clear preference for challenging tasks, viewing them as opportunities to grow and learn, rather than as threats to their intelligence or self-esteem. These behaviors are not only seen in children but in adults as well.
As I learn more about brain-based theory and neuroplasticity, I am amazed at how our brains evolve over the years and how they create new pathways as we acquire more knowledge, skills, etc., or recover from past functional or structural damage.
What is Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is a belief system that revolves around the idea that one's abilities, talent and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and perseverance. Individuals with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities for growth, embrace failures as learning experiences, and view effort as the path to mastery.
On the other hand, a fixed mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence are static traits that cannot be significantly changed. Those with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges for fear of failure, see failures as indications of their lack of ability, and may give up easily when faced with difficulties.
To illustrate this in the workplace, let's say an organization is deploying new software. John, who has a fixed mindset, feels anxious about learning the new software. When he encounters difficulty in understanding some of its functions, he quickly becomes frustrated and thinks, "Maybe I'm just not cut out for this." He hesitates to ask for help, worrying that his colleagues might think he's incompetent. Instead of looking for solutions or additional training, John avoids using the new tool whenever possible and sticks to his old methods, believing that his skills are fixed and cannot be improved significantly. Sara, on the other hand, has a growth mindset. When she faces challenges with the new software, she sees it as an opportunity to expand her skill set. Excited by the challenge, Sara actively seeks out resources to learn more about the software. She asks for tips from colleagues and watches online tutorials to improve her understanding. Even when she makes mistakes, Sara views them as a natural part of the learning process and continues to experiment and learn. She believes that her abilities can develop with effort and persistence.
You will see these two types of personalities in the workplace. Observe how your team members act or react when given new tasks, projects, or assignments.
The key difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset lies in how individuals perceive their own potential for learning and development. While those with a growth mindset believe in their capacity to improve and grow, those with a fixed mindset tend to see their abilities as fixed and unchangeable.
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A study by Carol Dweck and colleagues found that managers who were trained to adopt a growth mindset in their leadership approach saw the performance of their employees improve, with an increase in employee engagement scores by as much as 30% (source: Carol Dweck, 2014).
Do you have a Growth Mindset or Fixed Mindset?
Here's another psychometric test to determine whether you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. This is a fun and interactive situational assessment that evaluates three components of having a growth mindset: learning agility, proactive adaptability, and resilience.
Take it now to learn whether you have a growth or fixed mindset and which area(s) you need to focus on.
Developing Your Growth Mindset
Embracing a growth mindset is a transformative approach that reshapes how we perceive our capabilities and navigate life's challenges. As demonstrated through Carol Dweck's research, adopting a growth mindset can significantly alter our response to setbacks, fuel continuous learning, and drive innovation. In an ever-evolving world where adaptability and resilience are paramount, cultivating a growth mindset is crucial for organizations and individuals alike to thrive in the face of adversity and seize opportunities for development. Therefore, whether you're taking on new responsibilities, learning from mistakes, or pushing the boundaries of your potential, remember that each step is a progression towards not only achieving but surpassing your goals. Embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, learn from criticism, and continue to stretch your abilities, for in these actions lies the true spirit of a growth mindset.
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