Growth/Fixed Mindset in the Workplace

Growth/Fixed Mindset in the Workplace What does growth mindset look like in the workplace? And what can leaders do to encourage a growth mindset in those around them?

Growth Mindset

Fixed Mindset

Mistakes and setbacks are necessary stepping stones for growth and improvement

Mistakes are seen as personal failings and unsuccessful employees are seen as incompetent

The ability to learn and grow is more highly valued than just believing in inborn talent alone.

Believe that innate talent is more highly valued than hard work and effort. After all, some people are born with it and some arent.

Leaders do not provide much feedback because of their belief that talent is inborn. They shouldn't need coaching.

Leaders provide more coaching because they believe people can learn and improve.

People who are viewed as more skilled or experienced are viewed as threats or competition.

People who are more skilled are viewed as possible mentors or learning opportunities rather than threats.

What Next?

Now let's look at what you can do to influence a growth mindset...

References Dweck, C. (2016). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York, NY: Random House

Promoting Growth Mindset at Work As a leader, whether formally or informally, you can use these strategies to promote growth mindset in a work environment

Not This...

Do This...

Help your team learn from their mistakes to improve the process so they are more successful next time.

Tell the team you hired them for their expertise in this area and their incompetence is inexcusable.

Rather than hire based on talent or knowledge as foundation, focus more on teachability, attitude, and ability to learn from mistakes.

Hire based mostly on talent and knowledge.

After all it's about what people know and can do, not their ability to be teachable.

Feedback? Talented individuals shouldn't need it. They should already know what they are doing.

Provide non-critical coaching feedback to help team be more successful on the next iteration.

Encourage others to learn from people who are smarter or more talented than they are. Be a mentor to others and have one yourself.

View your competition as a threat and do what you can to keep them out of the spotlight. You need the light on you!

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References Dweck, C. (2016). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York, NY: Random House