How to Build a Growth Mindset in your Team
Does you have a growth or fixed mindset?
Here's 5 signs signs you might have a fixed mindset.
Number one: you stick to your comfort zone, avoiding the unfamiliar.
Number two: you feel threatened by others' success instead of celebrating it.
Number three: you believe talent is innate, not developed.
Number four: you see failure as a limit to your abilities.
And number five: you shy away from constructive feedback or criticism.
Does any of this resonate with you? If it does, you're not alone. Many of us, even self-proclaimed personal development junkies, discover hidden fixed mindsets when we dig a little deeper.
Here's the deal – often, we claim to have a growth mindset because we believe everyone is capable of learning and growing. But simultaneously, we make statements like, "I'm just not good at detail" or "I'm not a math person."
These are fixed mindset beliefs that can limit us without us even realising it.
Why do we need a growth mindset?
Now, let's talk about why this matters. Recognising and addressing a fixed mindset can be liberating. It opens the door to personal and professional growth. So, let's explore how to strengthen your growth mindset and, if you're a leader or a parent, how to foster it in your team or children.
But first, why does this fixed mindset thing even exist? It's deeply ingrained in our society and often passed down through generations. Our brains naturally gravitate toward the familiar and resist change. However, I firmly believe that cultivating a growth mindset is essential for success in leadership, parenting, and life in general.
Why am I so passionate about this?
Because I've experienced the transformation that comes with adopting a growth mindset. It's a foundational shift that paves the way for other personal and professional development. I call myself a bit of a growth mindset guru, not because it came naturally to me, but because I had to dive deep into the realms of mindset, psychology, neuroscience, and more to understand and embody it. And it truly changed EVERYTHING for me.
I used to dismiss my dreams of running my own business or becoming a coach, thinking I wasn't naturally talented for it. The breakthrough came when I realised that success is about skill acquisition, not innate talent. Leaders are made, not born. CEOs are made, not born. You can learn to handle difficult conversations, become organized, or excel in any area through focus and effort. These are simply skills that can be acquired through practice.
Neuroplasticity
Now, let's address the elephant in the room – the power of neuroplasticity. Research shows that our brains have an incredible ability to change and grow at any age. What fires together, wires together. And a new skill is just a bunch of new neural pathways being strengthened in the brain.
Embracing the word "yet" in this process is key. Saying, "I'm not a leader yet" or "I'm not good at handling conflict yet" opens up possibilities and fuels the growth process in our brains for new learning.
Changing your Mindset
So, how do you develop a growth mindset? It starts with recognising the power of neuroplasticity and understanding that your brain and body are wired for change. You have control over your beliefs, and choosing a growth mindset is about asking which belief system serves you best
Now, if you're a leader or a parent, here are some tips for nurturing a growth mindset in your team or children.
Lead by example – embody a growth mindset yourself.
Praise wisely, focusing on effort, perseverance, and the learning process.
See failure as feedback and an opportunity for growth.
Be a "yet" champion – encourage others with the belief that they can learn anything with time and effort.
Adopting a growth mindset is not an overnight task. It requires understanding, practice, and a commitment to challenging limiting beliefs. But the rewards are immense – increased resilience, confidence, and a pathway to unlocking your fullest potential.
To learn more, tune into the SPARKED podcast to dive deeper on this topic!