How we see ourselves and our potential will determine how successful we are.
It’s about our mentality. Carol Dweck popularized “growth mindset”, “fixed mindset” and “fixed attitude” in her book Mindset, The New Psychology of Success, by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck. This book is the result of her research over many years on how even small changes in beliefs can have a profound impact on lives.
A fixed mindset assumes that we are all set in our ways (for example, our intelligence and creative abilities). No matter how much we try, they will not change. This type of person will do anything to avoid failing and is so concerned with appearing intelligent/knowledgeable. These people are likely to avoid challenges, question themselves often, and give up easily. This mindset is common in people who are insecure, including me. People who have this mindset and insecurities tend to plateau early and never reach their full potential.
The opposite of a fixed mindset is a growth-oriented one. They are willing to face challenges, eager to gain knowledge and never give up. They are totally focused on their own personal growth and improvement. They are able to achieve more.
The mindsets we form at a young age can affect our relationships, our attitude to failure and our overall happiness.
Dweck’s book is full of interesting information.
My research over the past twenty years has shown that the view of yourself you adopt profoundly affects how you lead your life. It can determine if you become the person that you want to be, and if you achieve the things that you value.
The fixed mindset creates a constant urge to prove yourself. You may only possess a certain amount of personality, moral character or intelligence. You better have a healthy amount.
In every situation it is important to confirm the person’s personality, intelligence or character. In every situation we ask: Will I succeed? Will I appear intelligent or stupid to others? Will I be accepted? Will I feel like a winner or a loser?
These traits aren’t simply a set you were dealt. You don’t try to convince yourself and others that you have a royal flush when you secretly worry that it’s just a pair of tens. This mindset believes the cards you’re dealt are only the beginning of your journey. This growth mentality is based on a belief that you can develop yourself by your own efforts.
Do people with this mentality really believe that anyone with the right motivation, education, and education can become Einsteins? They don’t think this, but do believe that the true potential is unknown.
The key difference is that people with a growth mindset don’t actually see themselves as failing in those situations — they see themselves as learning. Fixed mindsets are held back because of this constant fear. It’s that insecurity of constantly wondering how you are perceived.
Even employee feedback may be affected by a rigid mentality.
What these attitudes say about employee satisfaction
Her research is especially fascinating when it relates to how these two mentalities deal with feedback. She invited people to return to her laboratory to study the brain ‘s reaction to feedback following difficult questions. She found people with a “fixed mind” would ignore any information that could help them improve. They wouldn’t listen to the correct response when they answered a question incorrectly because they already classified that as a failure. They are already done.
People who are open to growth are more receptive to new information, and actively seek feedback. Even if they are wrong, they still see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
A growing mindset focuses on growth. A fixed mindset is focused on failure.
It’s fascinating to imagine how employees may react to feedback. What about leaders?
What happens if you are a manager who is responsible to grow and develop a team with a fixed mentality?
This is a situation that I can imagine in many companies, where employees are not given the guidance they require.
I’m reminded of Robert Rosenthal 1964 psychology experiment with elementary school teachers.
It was an experiment that aimed to see what would happen if certain teachers told students they were going be successful.
Rosenthal created a fake cover for a standard IQ exam, which read “Harvard Test of Inflected Acquisition”. Teachers were told by the test that it could predict which children will experience an increase of IQ.
Then, he selected random students and informed their teachers of the IQ growth.
He said that if teachers were told to expect higher gains in IQ, then the kids would have gained more IQ.
In his research, he discovered that teachers’ expectations affect their daily interactions with kids. Teachers who expect their student’s success give them more questions and provide detailed feedback.
This is a lesson that all managers should learn.
If you don’t pay attention to employees, they will not grow.
How can you then develop a growth mindset? I’ll give a few tips, but the main thing is to boost your confidence.
Confidence is key to success
In a blog post I wrote about a few months ago titled Why Confidence is the Secret to Success in Life, I discussed how lack of self-confidence can hold us back in so many areas in our lives. You can develop a mentality of growth if you boost your confidence. It’s crucial to get out of the mindset that is based on insecurity. It’s easier to say than to do, but it will benefit you if you accept that failure is okay.
According to the research that I did for this piece, the root of a fixated mindset is having a low enough opinion of yourself. Exercise, meditation, and a positive outlook can help you build self-confidence.
How to develop a mentality of growth
As I mentioned, I believe that all of this starts with building your self-confidence. Here are some other ways to develop a growth mindset.
1. You can speak back to yourself
People who are fixed-minded often have mental discussions with themselves. “Can I do it?” What will happen to you if you make a mistake? How can I silence that voice? You can tell yourself that no one will make fun of you.
2. A half-full glass is a good sign
In life, you always have two choices. You can choose to view failure either as a mistake, or as an opportunity. Every failure can be turned into a positive.
3. Celebrate small victories
Celebrate your small wins and remind yourself how much you have learned. You will gradually learn to adopt a mindset of growth and learning.
4. Realistic expectations
It’s important to have realistic expectations. If you set goals that are unrealistic or too ambitious, they will fail. You’ll gain confidence as you make quick wins.
5. Exercise your mind
Staying calm and mentally strong can be achieved by exercising, practicing yoga or meditating. Mental strength can help you develop confidence, a growth mindset and a better understanding of the world.
What are some tips for developing a Growth Mindset?