What Dweck got wrong about Growth Mindset

Over the past several weeks, I've been deeply immersed in rethinking the concept of mindset. My goal has been to untangle the complex web of survival mode, protective mindset, learning, and growth mindset.

As I delved deeper, I realized that Carol Dweck's widely accepted definition of growth mindset might not seamlessly align with the nuanced theories of developmental psychology, nor does it fully resonate with certain influential learning models.

More importantly, it seems to miss a direct link to crucial aspects of leadership and organizational culture.

Learning mindset

This journey of exploration has led me to a critical standpoint. While Dweck's growth mindset, and its application in the workplace, primarily focuses on learning and adaptability, it doesn't quite encapsulate the essence of growth or transformation as traditionally viewed in developmental psychology.

Learning is, of course, invaluable – it's about improving, practicing, overcoming setbacks, and responding constructively to feedback. It plays a key role in enhancing performance, but it stops short of pushing us beyond what I call the "stretch zone."

?Growth Mindset is transformational not adaptive

True growth, I've come to understand, is inherently transformational. It's about discovering untapped potential not just within ourselves, but significantly, in our interactions and relationships with others. The latter, our relational potential, emerges as a pivotal growth area when we recognize that achieving our goals hinges more on how we inspire and lead others than on how we navigate our own setbacks.

Such profound realizations don't come easily, which is why I refer to the realm where true growth occurs as the "discomfort zone." It's a space where the challenge isn't just about not knowing what to do; it's about confronting the realization that our self-perception and approaches might actually be limiting us.

Growth requires a transformation of who you are

The distinction between mere learning and true growth lies in the fact that growth provokes and challenges our current sense of self. It's a transformative process that requires us to evolve, to become, in a sense, someone new.

This transformation can be seen as a journey toward a more authentic self, perhaps even fulfilling some deeper existential purpose. Yet, it might also mean shedding the parts of us that no longer serve us well, evolving from a Scrooge-like persona to someone more akin to Gandhi's magnanimity and wisdom.

This reflection has been a catalyst for me, underscoring the importance of redefining how we perceive and foster growth, both personally and in our professional lives.

Making Empowerment Work

This week, I had the enriching opportunity to collaborate with a leadership team on instilling "Empowerment" in line with their company's new leadership themes. This company, teeming with potential for growth, is also navigating a sea of both internal and external uncertainties.

The concept of empowerment, while seemingly straightforward, is in reality a complex journey. It transcends being just another skill like skiing; it's about a profound shift from a learning mindset to a growth mindset, a transformation that requires leaders to introspect, challenge, and redefine their roles for true efficacy.

Leadership development is science not belief

Reflecting on this experience of integrating the company's leadership themes with the science of growth mindset and psychological safety, I couldn't help but ponder the oversimplification and, perhaps, a touch of naivety with which many organizations approach leadership and cultural development.

"We would never dream of basing a new drug, product, or strategy on popular science."

It struck me as ironic: we would never dream of basing a new drug, product, or strategy on popular science.

Yet, when it comes to leadership, there's a tendency to gravitate towards easy answers, shying away from the commitment needed to explore and apply evidence-based principles and concepts crucial for steering high-performance teams and organizations.

The leadership landscape is often cluttered with appealing yet superficial solutions – akin to the allure of horoscopes – offering little in the way of genuine utility.

True empowerment demands delving into the science behind it. It requires understanding the stark differences between commitment and control-based cultures, acknowledging the detrimental impact of excessive surveillance and control on engagement, quality, and cooperation, and uncovering the subtle yet powerful drivers of trust.

These are not mere theories but well-established scientific facts. However, applying this knowledge is no easy feat. Leadership is intrinsically personal, and perhaps that's why there's a comfort in clinging to popular, yet unproven, ideas rather than embracing the challenging path of scientifically validated approaches.

The Ultimate Guide to Growth Mindset

As we step into the new year, I am excited to announce the launch of the "Ultimate Guide to Growth Mindset," a resource that interweaves the principles of developmental psychology with the concept of psychological safety.

This guide represents a significant stride in our understanding of behavior, development, culture, and leadership in the workplace. It's a tool designed to bring to life the core principles of the 'Safe to Great' idea.

?A Vision of Integration

My vision for this guide is to seamlessly integrate psychological safety and growth mindset into a unified framework. By doing so, we can reshape our approach to conceptualizing behavior and development within organizational contexts.

This integration is more than a theoretical exercise; it's about providing practical insights and strategies that leaders can use to unlock the vast potential of their teams and themselves.

Empowering Leaders and Teams

The model included in this newsletter illustrates the intricate relationship between psychological safety and growth mindset. It's not just a diagram; it's a roadmap for leaders who are committed to fostering environments where innovation, open communication, and mutual respect are the norms.

This guide is designed to help leaders recognize and nurture the untapped potential within their teams and themselves.

Discovering Unknown Potential

At the heart of this guide is the belief that every individual and team has reservoirs of untapped potential. The journey to discovering and realizing this potential begins with creating a culture that balances the encouragement of growth with the assurance of psychological safety.

It's about moving beyond conventional leadership paradigms and embracing a model that promotes continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience.

Conclusion

As we embark on this journey together, I am confident that the "Ultimate Guide to Growth Mindset" will be an invaluable resource for those seeking to foster a culture of empowerment and excellence.

My hope is that this guide will not only enlighten but also inspire leaders to embark on a transformative journey, redefining what it means to lead and succeed in today's dynamic workplace.

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Looking forward to sharing this journey with you,

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Skip Bowman