{"id":64710,"date":"2023-01-04T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=64710"},"modified":"2024-02-09T16:47:11","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T16:47:11","slug":"growth-mindset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/growth-mindset\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Develop a Growth Mindset in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our mindset can have a huge impact on both our personal and professional lives. It can impact how resilient we are, how we approach challenges and how positively and confidently we go through life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will outline what it means to have a growth mindset, the traits associated with it, and discuss the benefits it can bring while highlighting how it differs from a fixed mindset. We will also take a look at how a growth mindset can be developed, as well as the importance of promoting this mindset in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a Growth Mindset?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University discussed her theory of a “growth mindset” in her 2007 book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”. In it, Dweck describes how fixed and growth mindsets significantly affect our personal success in life and how both mindsets are linked to how we view ourselves and the challenges we face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carol Dweck is said to be one of the world\u2019s leading researchers in the field of motivation. Her research built upon the theory of neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to continue to form new connections into adulthood), with this said to be possible after it has been damaged or when it is stimulated by new experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From this comes the belief that our mindset can be altered and developed through new learning and experiences. In recent years, many schools and educators have started using Dweck’s theories to inform how they teach students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a growth mindset means a person believes in their ability to continuously grow and learn new things, from developing new skills and talents to developing themselves and their beliefs through dedication and practice. People with this type of mindset believe their abilities, intelligence and performance can be improved upon and are not limited to their current level. This mindset is said to influence people\u2019s likelihood to succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n

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A growth mindset is one most likely to be held by resilient people and by those who seek to succeed through hard work and dedication, are self-aware, and practice self-reflection. In challenging circumstances, they often see their mistakes and \u2018failures\u2019 as an opportunity to learn and grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They do not dwell on these moments; instead, they take a potentially demotivating and negative outcome and turn it into a positive springboard for further improvement and success going forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Growth Mindset Vs. Fixed Mindset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carol Dweck describes how people with a growth mindset tend to learn from their mistakes, be responsive to criticism, and face challenges head-on while people with fixed mindsets try to ignore criticism or avoid making mistakes completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those with a fixed mindset also tend to resist altering their way of thinking and absorbing new information. Often feeling threatened by anything that challenges this and how they normally do things. Whether this is how they perceive and react to challenges and stresses, how they participate in their relationships or how likely they are to put themselves forward for any activity or task outside of their comfort zone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because of the firmly held belief that people’s abilities are fixed, therefore, anything that doesn\u2019t align with their current way of thinking and doing is more likely to be something that is disregarded or avoided. Fixed mindsets are generally resistant and closed off to the opportunities and experiences that could help them to change, making them less likely to put in the dedication and practice required to develop their existing skills and abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Let\u2019s take a look at some of the characteristics held by those with growth and fixed mindsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traits of those with a growth mindset include:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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  • Believing that they can develop their intelligence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Approaching life’s challenges head on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Being determined to overcome obstacles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Committing extra effort and energy to everything they do, as they recognise this as important for growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Responding openly and positively to criticism, as they see it as an opportunity to develop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Admiring others’ success and using it to inspire their own development. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Traits of those with a fixed mindset include:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    • Believing that intelligence is static.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Avoiding challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Easily giving in to obstacles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Resisting making extra effort, as they see it as pointless.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Avoiding or ignoring criticism, even if it’s constructive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Feeling threatened by, or envious of, others’ success. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Take a look at our short animation that further explains and highlights the importance and key differences between growth and fixed mindsets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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