Leadership Is All About Mindset: The 'Right One'
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~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy 'JFK'
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Leadership is all about mindset, but even more importantly, having the 'right one'!
Consequently, there are also some significant differences between executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs in dynamic business environments...
With a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset!
FIXED MINDSET
Executives, leaders and entrepreneurs with a fixed mindset like to compare themselves to others, but only to those who are worse off or less capable.
Generally, they see life as a way of documenting things like their skill, strength, or intelligence.
Since those with a fixed mindset see these things as unchangeable, being compared to others who are worse off means demonstrating a permanent status of superiority.
For them, each comparison is a win!
This mechanism can play out even more and crucially, when people with a fixed mindset are in positions of leadership or authority in any corporate or entrepreneurial business hierarchy.
It creates an opportunity for executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs to compare themselves to others, and they additionally have the power to make those other people's lives worse.
When they do, they mainly feel better about themselves!
Regrettably, a fixed mindset can lead executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs to engage in a zero-sum game in which they derive satisfaction from others' losses.
This behaviour not only hinders their growth but also negatively impacts those they influence, a situation that should be approached cautiously.
For instance, an executive, leader or entrepreneur with a fixed mindset may discourage their team members from taking risks or trying new approaches, thereby stifling innovation and growth within the organisation.
Generally, they are results-oriented to the extreme and tend to interpret challenges as failures, believing that all effort has been wasted. This belief leads to pointing fingers and blaming others.
Also, a fixed mindset leads to viewing intelligence, abilities and talents as inherently stable and unchangeable over time.
Therefore, there's no way that others can improve or grow!
GROWTH MINDSET
On the other hand, growth-minded executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs are less concerned with comparison to others and more focused on becoming better versions of themselves.
They play this game differently because they don't see the success of a teammate, colleague, or employee as a negative reflection of their abilities!
Instead, they see strength, skill and intelligence as plastic traits that can be improved, which means that one person's gain takes nothing away from them.
Conversely, growth-oriented executives, leaders and entrepreneurs are more inclined to support and assist others!
They understand that one person's success does not diminish their own; instead, it contributes to collective growth and success.
When leading people, they will see another person's struggles or mistakes as their shared responsibility rather than an opportunity to look better in comparison.
Additionally, executives, leaders and entrepreneurs with a growth mindset enjoy any opportunity to learn new things. They are willing to unlearn their firmly held beliefs and strategies that have worked in the past.
Thus, they are also resilient to failure. In fact, they embrace failure because they see it as a natural part of learning, leading to improvement when failing forward.
Failing forward is the concept of using failure as a stepping stone to success, learning from it, and moving forward with new knowledge and experience!
Because executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs with a growth mindset view intelligence, abilities and talents as learnable and capable of improvement through effort.
For themselves and those they lead!
INFINITE MINDSET
An infinite mindset, a further evolution of a growth mindset, acknowledges being part of something larger. It focuses on long-term goals, empowering creativity and continuous improvement.
Executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs with an infinite mindset constantly seek ways to grow, leaving a lasting impact and legacy in their wake.
SUMMARY
Undoubtedly, a fixed mindset can significantly limit the potential of executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs in dynamic business environments, hindering their personal and professional growth.
However, embracing a growth mindset can lead to immense personal development and self-leadership, resulting in more significant achievements by transforming how they approach challenges and opportunities.
It's important to note that there is also the possibility of a growth mindset that turns into a fixed one without even realising it when others or certain circumstances trigger executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Recognising this potential is a crucial aspect of self-aware leadership!
It empowers them to maintain a growth mindset by being vigilant and proactive in identifying and addressing potential triggers.
Committing to these actions means cultivating a lifelong learning journey, as JFK's chosen statement rightfully states.
As a progression of a growth mindset, an infinite mindset sets the bars higher.
For exemplary leadership!
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