Growth Mindset

Scrolling through higher-ed headlines, I spotted a headline that asked, "What is the #1 skill for individuals to possess to thrive in our constantly changing world and evolving economy?" Several possibilities instantly came to mind as the most likely #1 skill, so I was surprised when I saw that none of my top responses were even in the running. Instead, the answer to the question was having a "growth mindset." That intrigued me enough to explore why what I classified as an aspect of an individual's personality; the author had classified as a skill. Studying this topic introduced me to the elements of a growth mindset, how an individual could cultivate a growth mindset similarly to learning any skill, and the benefits of applying a growth mindset to your career, relationships, and leadership.

I want to share what I learned, including my personal "ah-ha" moments, with you over the course of three newsletter articles aptly titled Growth Mindset-The Key to Unlocking Your Potential; Grow Your Mind-Strategies for Developing a Growth Mindset; and Beyond the Self: Applying a Growth Mindset in Leadership, Relationships, and the Learning Environment.

Article One-Growth Mindset: the Key to Unlocking Your Potential

Understanding Our Potential for Growth

Our capacity for learning and development is far greater than we might think. Stanford psychologist, Carol Dweck's research on mindsets, sheds light on how our beliefs about intelligence and abilities can influence our approach to challenges and, ultimately, our professional and personal success.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets

Dweck identified two primary mindsets: fixed and growth. Individuals with a fixed mindset believe talent and intelligence are fixed traits. They see challenges as threats to their perceived intelligence or abilities, leading them to avoid difficulties, give up easily when faced with an obstacle, see effort as fruitless, and feel threatened by others' success. You may know or have worked with someone you would describe as having these tendencies. I have. While working with these individuals, I noticed they were risk-averse, uncomfortable with change, and did not have innovation as a strong suit, yet they were great at meeting deadlines and accomplishing detailed tasks.?

In comparison, individuals with a growth mindset embrace the belief they can develop intelligence, abilities, and talents through dedication, effort, and hard work. They understand that talent is the starting point and that they can hone their skills through persistence, good teaching and coaching, and consistent effort. People with this mindset embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. They persist through setbacks, seeing them as stepping stones. They value effort as the key to mastery, and they learn from criticism and find inspiration in the success of others. I have also worked with individuals who displayed resilience and adaptability, were skilled collaborators, and could "think outside the box," yet they also had tendencies to overestimate their abilities, tried to take on too much at once, and missed important deadlines.??

In thinking about my career and the people I have worked with over the years, I quickly realized that fixed and growth mindsets are not an either/or proposition; instead, they are on a continuum. Like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the dichotomies of extraversion and introversion, very few individuals are exclusively "all or nothing" on either of those personality preferences. Instead, most of us fall somewhere between extroversion and introversion, and sometimes, as conditions warrant, we can be ambiverts and function out of both preferences as circumstances dictate.

We can say the same about having a fixed or growth mindset; for many, it is not strictly an either/or proposition. Instead, we fall somewhere on the spectrum between the two mindsets. Are you curious about where you might fall on that spectrum? Carol Dweck created?a quick assessment to help us identify our mindset.

Did you take the assessment, or do you already know where you are on the spectrum of Growth vs. Fixed Mindset? We've already discussed that a fixed mindset can leave us clinging to outdated methods in today's fast-paced and dynamic world. A growth mindset permits us to be flexible, learn from emerging trends, and step out of our comfort zones to navigate complex situations.

Benefits of a Growth Mindset

Working to enhance one's growth mindset unlocks a range of benefits:

• Increased Resilience: Adaptability and perseverance increase the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
• Enhanced Love of Learning: The desire for continuous improvement fuels personal and professional growth.
• Embracing Challenges: Ability to see challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Improved Performance: Persistence, resilience, and adaptability contribute to effective goal achievement.
• Stronger Collaboration: Viewing others' success as a learning opportunity fosters teamwork and communication.
• Greater Creativity: A willingness to take risks leads to exploring new ideas and innovation.
• Enhanced Well-Being: Mastering new skills and overcoming challenges brings a sense of satisfaction and life fulfillment.

Embrace the Growth Mindset Journey

Our ability to learn and grow is not limited. We can unlock our full potential by adopting a growth mindset and approaching challenges with a sense of possibility. It's a lifelong journey that fosters resilience, adaptability, and a love of learning, enriching our personal and professional lives. The good news is that each of us can cultivate a growth mindset if we choose! Join me next month for the second article of this series, Grow Your Mind: Strategies for Developing a Growth Mindset!

Are you ready to transform your career, leadership, and the quality of your life? The origin of your success already lies within you!? Discover your passion and purpose. Visit my website: https://originsofsuccess.com