Fostering a Growth Mindset in Training.

In my last two articles, we covered how outcome-driven training and didactical reduction can make learning clear and effective. But there’s one more element that can really impact results: a growth mindset.

A growth mindset is the belief that skills aren’t fixed; they can be developed through effort, feedback, and persistence. Psychologist Carol Dweck introduced this idea to contrast with a “fixed” mindset, which sees abilities and competencies as static. People with a growth mindset view challenges as chances to grow, see mistakes as part of learning, and stay engaged even when things get tough. Creating an environment that supports this mindset can make a big difference in training outcomes.

Scaffold your training

While adopting a growth mindset is up to the learner, trainers can shape an environment that encourages it. A powerful tool is scaffolding.

Scaffolding is like putting up support structures around a building while it’s under construction. In training, it means providing more support at the start and gradually easing back as learners become more skilled. This way, learners gain confidence in manageable steps, reducing the stress of mastering new skills all at once.

Consider teaching kids how to swim. Without scaffolding, you’d throw them straight into the deep end. With scaffolding, you start in shallow water, practicing basic movements with flotation aids, then gradually move to the deep end. Scaffolding allows learners to take on challenges in stages, building confidence and skills without feeling overwhelmed.

One powerful scaffolding approach is to break learning into small steps that gradually build in difficulty. Instead of covering all content at once, introduce smaller chunks, each followed by an activity where learners can practice and fail. This method allows learners to experience steady progress and reinforces the idea that skills grow over time, not instantly. With every step, learners can feel a sense of achievement, motivating them to take the next step.

Progress, not perfection

It’s also essential to set the right expectations. Emphasize that training is about progress, not perfection. Often, traditional training suggests that learners need to “get it right” right away. But fostering a growth mindset means communicating that improvement is the goal, not instant mastery.

Practical ways to set growth-focused expectations include:

1. Emphasizing growth over perfection. Make it clear from the start that training is about steady improvement, not about getting everything right on the first try.
2. Celebrating effort rather than results. Reinforce the idea that consistent effort is key. This shift keeps learners engaged and focused on learning.
3. Creating a safe space. Mistakes should be seen as valuable opportunities. Regular feedback can help highlight progress and areas for improvement, which keeps learners motivated to keep going.

Ready to foster a growth mindset in your training?

Scaffolding and setting growth-focused expectations create an environment where participants feel encouraged to dive into challenges. A growth mindset prepares them to see obstacles as learning opportunities, which drives long-term success. Combined with outcome-driven training, you can create a program that sticks.

Want to know more about fostering a growth mindset in your training? I’d be happy to discuss practical ways to make this approach work for your team!