What is a growth mindset and how can you develop one?
What is a growth mindset and how can you develop one?
When you think about people who are successful, skillful, or intelligent, how do you think they got there? Did they earn those traits? Were they just lucky or gifted?
Do you consider these traits to be the result of hard work, perseverance, and persistent learning from failure? Or do you believe that skill, intelligence, and success are entirely genetic and that some people are just naturally talented in certain areas, and others aren’t?
These different viewpoints are known as fixed and growth mindsets.
Are you interested in finding out which is which and why it matters?
Let’s take a look at:
- What it means to have a growth mindset
- What a growth mindset is and isn’t
- How a growth mindset differs from a fixed mindset
- 13 steps to developing a growth mindset and manifesting your own success
What does it mean to have a growth mindset?
So, what is a growth mindset?
The growth mindset concept was originally developed by Stanford Psychologist Carol Dweck. She introduced the idea to the public in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
In this book, Dweck demonstrates how people (students, in particular) can be divided into two groups. There are those who have a growth mindset and those who have a fixed mindset.
The growth mindset definition is:
People with growth mindsets believe that skill and intelligence are something that people can develop. They believe that while people have inherent qualities and traits, success comes from constant personal development.
The fixed mindset definition is:
By contrast, those with fixed mindsets believe that talent and intelligence are something you either have or you don’t.
That is, some people are good at certain activities, and others excel in different areas. They don’t believe that practice, failure, and strategy development are key to developing talent or intelligence.
What Dweck discusses is that those who do develop a high degree of talent are more often people with a growth mindset.
Interestingly, those with growth mindsets experience greater success and skill development.
It works both ways.
Debunking myths: growth mindset
There is sometimes a lack of clarity for many as to what the growth mindset theory really means.
So, let’s start by debunking some growth mindset myths and discuss a few realities and findings that stem from Dweck’s research.
5 growth mindset myths
First, let’s take a look at five common misconceptions about a growth mindset:
1. The mindsets are either/or
When we first learn about growth and fixed mindsets, the tendency is to try and identify with one or the other.
After all, it seems like a binary concept, with just two beliefs to choose from.
The truth is, the mindsets aren’t generally an either/or affair. Most of us sit on a spectrum somewhere in between a growth and a fixed mindset.
2. A growth mindset is the same as a positive mindset
A growth mindset is not simply about remaining positive.
Growth mindsets are about believing in the potential for development and that learning a new skill comes from practice and perseverance. It’s not simply from natural talent.
3. Growth mindsets automatically lead to positive results
A growth mindset in itself does not guarantee results. Nor is a person with a fixed mindset excluded from success.
A growth mindset coupled with the motivation to improve, a commitment to personal growth, and time put into developing a skill drives positive results.
4. Everyone has unlimited potential
The truth is that not everyone is capable of absolutely everything.
Some believe that having a growth mindset means that the achievement of anything is possible.
This is inaccurate. Individuals with a growth mindset recognize that their innate ability and limitations play a part as well.
But they also understand that their capacity for achievement does not start and stop with their genetic makeup.
Growth mindset realities
Now that we have busted some common myths, let’s look at four realities about a growth mindset.
1. Most people are somewhere in between
When Professor Carol Dweck analyzed students’ mindsets, she did not identify a purely binary result.
Though most students in the classroom lean strongly toward one side or the other, most were found to have mindsets somewhere in the middle.
They might believe, for example, that their ability to improve at math comes down to teaching strategies and their own attention and commitment to the learning process. But they might also believe that their reading and writing abilities are inherent.
The same observations can be made in the workplace.
2. Growth mindset is more than just effort
Dweck has noticed, as growth mindsets are embraced by the leader and educator alike, that many seem to believe that it all comes down to effort.
Dweck notes that some teachers seem to believe that they can improve a student’s achievement by telling them to try harder. She calls this a ‘false growth mindset.’
Effort is important. But more crucial is a student’s attitude toward learning a new thing and their perspective on failure as a part of the learning process.
3. Not everyone can achieve everything
Each individual has limitations that a growth mindset intervention might help combat but cannot overcome entirely.
The 5’2” 22-year old is unlikely to become a player in the WNBA.
4. Positive results come from a growth mindset and working toward a goal
Growth mindset students and employees are people who understand that positive improvement is possible.
They believe that to achieve their goals, they must:
- View failure as a part of learning
- Put in the time
- Embrace the challenge
- Develop new strategies to overcome each challenge
Working toward a goal without these views is unlikely to elicit positive results. Cultivating a growth mindset won’t do much without putting in the necessary time and practice to develop a new skill.
Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset
We’ve discussed what a growth mindset is. But how is it different from a fixed mindset?
Here are the differences between the two viewpoints:
Growth Mindset | Fixed Mindset |
Embraces challenges | Avoids challenges |
Perseveres in spite of failure | Gives in when they come up against hardship |
Believes that people can increase their intelligence or skills | Believes that intelligence and skills are something you’re born with and can’t develop |
Is inspired and motivated by the success of others | Is threatened by the success of others |
Wants to learn | Believes they know everything already |
Accepts and embraces criticism | Ignores or dismisses criticism |
10 ways to develop a growth mindset
1. Identify your own mindset
By considering how you currently approach challenges, either at work or in education, you can determine your current mindset. For example, you can ask yourself whether you say things like ‘I’m a natural people person’ or ‘I’ve learned to work well with people’? Or would you say, ‘she’s a natural leader’, or ‘she worked her way up to the leadership role’?
Asking such questions about your approach to the world can help you identify whether you’ve more of a fixed or growth mindset. Such awareness is the first step toward making changes, which could help you reimagine your career.
2. Look at your own improvements
Think about something that you’re better at now than you were in the past? What did you previously find difficult? Why does it feel easier now? And how did you achieve such a change?
These thoughts can prompt you to think about the time and effort you’ve spent to improve in particular areas, the hallmarks of a growth mindset.
3. Review the success of others
Try to think about something that you’ve seen someone else do against the odds. Think about how they achieved their success and what this says about their ability to develop their capabilities.
4. Seek feedback
Whether you’ve been successful in a project or not, seeking feedback from others is a good way to develop a growth mindset. They may give you insight into where you’ve developed or what needs improvement. In turn, this can help you to set goals for improvement.
5. Harness the power of ‘yet’
The concept of ‘yet’ is one that Dr Dweck spoke about during a TEDx talk. Essentially, this part of a fixed mindset is about realising that there will be skills or subjects that you’re not good at yet. However, with work and perseverance, you can improve in these areas.
Developing a growth mindset is about realising that your weaknesses are strengths you haven’t necessarily developed yet.
6. Learn something new
Try a completely new activity and challenge yourself to learn something that you’re not already good at. You could start with learning a new language, picking up an instrument, or understanding the basics of economics.
By getting used to getting out of your comfort zone, you can develop a growth mindset and be more open to learning new skills.
7. Make mistakes
You’re not going to get everything right the first time of trying. Allow yourself to make errors and then learn from those missteps. Rather than thinking that mistakes equal ineptitude, think of them as part of the learning process.
Mistakes give you the chance to identify where you may have a weakness or lack of understanding – areas you can work hard to improve.
8. Be kind to yourself
Rather than scolding yourself for your errors, try and identify how you’d treat someone else in your situation. If someone was to fail at a task you know inside out, would you tell them they’re useless or encourage them to learn?
Being mindful can help you to improve your communication, relationships and emotional help. It can also help you identify thoughts that are linked to a fixed mindset and move away from them.
9. Look at examples
If you’re striving to develop a growth mindset, it can help to look at those who already embody one. Whether it’s examples from experts such as Dr Dweck or through looking at people you already know, there are opportunities to learn from others. Examine what they do and how they approach challenges, and think about how you can apply similar tactics.
10. Set realistic goals
As we’ve explored already, there are many determinants of success. Personality, intelligence, circumstance and other factors can all contribute. However, by setting clear goals that provide a motivating challenge, you can work towards success.
Final thoughts
Carol Dweck says: “The hand you are dealt is just the starting point for development”. We’re all dealt a hand in life – but our skills, talents, abilities and intelligence aren’t as fixed as you might think. Even if you currently think you have a fixed mindset, you can develop a growth mindset. Open yourself to the possibility of learning, development and growth, and you could fly higher than you ever imagined.”
