Mindset Matters

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article questioning the value of psychometric testing, specifically in relation to career assessments.

You can find it here if you are interested.

Shortly thereafter I met a wonderfully passionate individual by the name of Jean-Paul Pangalos . He shared some thoughts on the article but we were also introduced to each other by a good mutual friend.

And he said to me: "I have something different, care to take a look?"

The Mindset Matters Index

Now, I want to make it clear from the start - this is not a promotional piece and Jean-Paul did not ask me to write this.

He has too much integrity for that.

The reason for this article is to share my experience with the team at Mindset factors and to strongly suggest you take a look at this.

Full Disclosure: I approached this from an academic perspective. Given my concerns around typical psychometric testing, I approached this honestly and with an open mind, but also a healthy dose of skepticism.

I honestly did not think I'm going to get any insights - but boy, was I wrong...

As an individual

Your mind is your strongest ally and your fiercest and most critical opponent. At least, that's my experience.

And although lots of people goes "tsk, tsk" (with good reason) if someone idly uses the old quote by Napoleon Hill:

Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive and Believe, It Can Achieve

there is a good amount of truth in it.

No, you probably won't win at Wimbledon by just thinking and fervently believing you can, when you have never played tennis in your life. But if you don't think you can, the chances of it happening is 100%.

In a more realistic example,

• If you believe everything happening to you is because of outside factors you have no control over, then you probably also believe you can't affect any of it.
• Conversely, if your mindset is such that you believe you are not a victim of circumstances, but that you can affect the outcomes if you knew how and had the right support, then momentum is already working in your favor.

And this - fundamentally - is what the Mindset Factor Index helps you understand.

NOT who you are and what type of box you belong in, but where your mindset is right now on a scale between "Life happens to me" and "I happen to Life" and what is mentally holding you back from moving to where you want to be.

As a Coach

During my feedback session JP used a phrase which resonated with me deeply.

He said that if we understand where someone finds themselves on this scale, then it affects how we approach them and the language we use.

As a tool in your coaching or mentoring practice I suggest this has real, direct value to determine how best to work with your client. We don't have to interpret and try to use best guess to determine the mindset of the client. We can use the results from the assessment to understand from the start the best way to assist and serve our client and help them achieve their goals.

Because to move forward, you must want to and believe you can.

Again, I've not been asked to write this so I strongly suggest that you evaluate the tool for yourself. I think you'll be impressed.

Personal Insights

I'm a fairly confident guy. Long ago I've learned that you can either sit back and wait or you can figure it out and get it done. And often in my career I've had to dig myself or teams out of dire situations.

So when I did the assessment, I really did not anticipate any real insights. I know me and I know what I need to do.

But - what I forgot - is that sometimes you can get tunnel vision. Sometimes even the best of us miss something obvious. So although the assessment showed me everything I know already, it also showed me a painfully obvious focus point that I've missed and have neglected over the last couple of months.

And since I started working on that again over the last couple of days I can see the future coming back into a clearer focus.

Clear Thinking

Quite coincidentally I recently read a very interesting book called "Clear Thinking" by Shane Parrish:

It is wonderfully honest, but very direct read. Shane isn't holding back and he calls a spade a spade. In particular, the way he starts Section 2 of the book on the subject of Self-Accountability will lead you to some real internal reflection.

But - he does not use the book simply to beat you on the head. He shares wonderful advice on how to take things forward. And - I'm thinking - the combination of this book and the Mindset Factors Index can arm you effectively to move forward.

(Full Disclosure: If you buy the book via the links above, I get a small % of the sale as an Amazon Associate.)

Beyond the Paycheck

If you don't yet have your copy and have not yet joined the Practical Workplace Performance Tip mailing list, then take the opportunity now.

Not only will you get a simple to use system to define what it is you want your career to support you with, but also help in creating the plan to get you from where you are now to where you want to be.

Have a wonderful week

Johan