Rethinking Growth Mindset: It’s Not Binary; It’s Nuanced and Multifaceted

Below is a shorter version of an article I published in my Leadership Bebop Substack newsletter this week. See the comments below for a link to the full article.

One Executive, Two Mindsets

During a recent coaching session, I worked with Sean, a promising technology executive. Early in the conversation, Sean exhibited all the characteristics of a growth mindset as we discussed challenges that his team had worked through. He approached obstacles head-on, solicited input from his team and others, learned from mistakes, and demonstrated resilience and perseverance throughout.

However, as the conversation shifted to a difficult situation with one team member, Sean’s confidence and energy were replaced with hesitancy, self-doubt, and even resignation. He had been replaying this situation in his mind for the past few weeks, he explained, without any clear solutions or understanding of the root causes. He was “stuck.” Sean commented that while he excels at strategy and product development, he “just wasn’t very good” at managing people.

In this part of the conversation, Sean displayed a “fixed mindset,” believing his aptitude and abilities are unchangeable. This mindset leads to avoidance, resignation, and feeling threatened by others, limiting personal (and team) growth and potential.

It made me wonder: Do we all oscillate between a growth mindset and self-doubt, just like Sean?

Mindset: It’s Not Binary, and It’s Not Something We “Have"

Carol Dweck’s “growth mindset” concept revolutionized how we perceive challenges. Yet, many discussions about growth mindset oversimplify it as binary—you either have it or you don’t. This is a fixed mindset in itself!

It should be noted that Dweck herself has addressed this misconception, noting that we all have elements of both mindsets and describing it as more of a spectrum and not a binary either/or proposition. Yet, I would suggest it’s even more nuanced than that.

The reality is that human beings are complex and multifaceted. We do not have one type of mindset or the other. This is related to the “mono mind” fallacy addressed by Richard Schwartz, who pioneered the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Our personalities and corresponding mindsets are nuanced and multi-dimensional. Some parts of our identity may exhibit a growth mindset in certain circumstances, while others may lean more toward a fixed mindset.

With this distinction, we can understand that it’s not about “having” a growth mindset; instead, it’s about recognizing which mindset dominates our actions at any particular moment. Are we allowing our growth-minded parts to lead or letting our fixed mindset tendencies dictate?

No Bad Parts

Further, we can understand that the parts that tend toward a fixed mindset exist for a reason. They are not “bad” parts to be shamed, disciplined, or banished. Rather, we can learn from them to better understand our deeper drives and motivations and then move forward holistically.

This journey is akin to physical training. During exercise, experienced athletes pay attention to sensations of discomfort and pain. However, they do not allow these signals to completely halt their training unless they indicate a more serious issue.

In the same way, we can acknowledge the objections of the fixed-mindset parts of ourselves and seek to discern their underlying concerns. Then, we can chart a path forward that encourages progress and improvement while also being aware of potential risks and obstacles.

The “Dance” of Mindsets

After drafting this article, a dance instructor gave me timely advice that perfectly addressed my own “dance” of mindsets.

Last year, I started learning dance and found myself drawn to salsa because of my fondness for Latin jazz. Due to my upbringing and experiences (and age), there have been strong elements of both growth and fixed mindsets throughout this journey. I’ve now progressed to an intermediate level with salsa and just recently joined a weekly bachata class (another type of Latin dance).

The class is divided into two groups, beginner and advanced. I was torn between the two. The beginner level felt too simple, while the advanced was overwhelming. I sought advice from an instructor this week, who suggested alternating weeks between the two groups.

His counsel struck a balance, allowing me to solidify fundamentals without getting bored and to challenge myself without becoming overly frustrated. The instructor didn’t resort to clichés or denounce my hesitation to push myself; instead, he acknowledged the need for both proficiency and growth, offering a nuanced way to challenge myself while also feeling competent, having fun, and building core skills.

Steps to Nurture a Holistic Growth Mindset

To nurture a holistic growth mindset:

1. Be self-aware. Recognize which ‘part’ plays a dominant role in any given challenge.
2. Show self-compassion. Seek to discern the underlying concerns of the ‘parts’ that exhibit more of a fixed mindset. Ultimately, they are trying to help us. What is it they want for us? How can we address their concerns in a constructive way?
3. Cultivate your internal dialogue. Accept the multifaceted nature of the human mind and learn to converse with different ‘parts’ constructively and positively, driven by curiosity and a commitment to grow.
4. Foster a growth environment. Surround yourself with encouraging individuals and resources.
5. Stay adaptable. Understand and appreciate the role of fixed-mindset parts while also strengthening and exercising your growth mindset “muscles.”
6. Celebrate each step towards growth.

Embracing the Growth Journey

The growth mindset is not a simple switch that can be turned “on” or “off.” It may manifest as a tendency or inclination, but it isn’t some innate trait that some people “have” and others do not have.

And it might be more accurate to say that different facets of a person can lean toward either growth or fixed mindsets at various times. Understanding this nuanced interplay – this “dance” of mindsets – puts us in a better position to make intentional choices for personal growth. It also allows us to address and nurture areas that may need more attention for overall vitality and well-being.

Reflect:

1. Which parts of you exhibit more of a growth mindset?
2. Which parts tend more towards a fixed mindset?
3. Do you find yourself avoiding or suppressing certain parts of yourself? If you take time to listen to those voices, what are they saying? Assuming they are there to help, what do they want for you? What are they afraid might happen if no one heeds their warnings? How might we respond to these deeper concerns in a way that also fosters our growth and vitality?
4. How might this understanding enhance your relationships with others—your thoughts, attitudes, actions, and communication with those around you?