[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Welcome back to my regular Leadership Learning series of blogs. This month, I’m reviewing a book called Mindset, written by the eminent American psychologist, Carol Dweck.
What is mindset?
“Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential”, to give it its full title, was the result of decades of research into what drives achievement and success.
Dweck discusses the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset and how both exist for every individual depending on their activity, experience, mood or even the moment they are in.
To bring some context, a fixed mindset is one which says “I can’t do this. I’m not good at this, it’s not my thing. I’m useless, I’m an idiot, I’ll never be able to improve.” The belief that the individual will fail is fixed.
In contrast, a growth mindset says “I need to try harder but I can do this. I’m capable of winning. There are opportunities for me to succeed. What can I learn to make myself more successful?” Much more open minded and positive and guess what? Suddenly the chances of this individual actually achieving what they set out to increase dramatically.
The power of mind over matter
My previous blog was about my realisation that, despite being convinced I was “not a runner” (fixed mindset) I have discovered that I can not only run some credible distances but that I can actually enjoy doing so (growth mindset).
Thanks to Tommy Rivers, I’ve been able to re-examine my preconceived ideas. He makes a very simple argument that, as humans, we’ve clearly been designed to run. We have two legs and our body has muscles which store energy for stamina. We aren’t all going to be marathon or endurance runners, but we can all run.
There started my growth mindset journey in relation to my new lockdown hobby.
Dweck’s book covers mindset in relation to all areas of life. Chapters are named sport, business, relationships and parent/teacher. She picks the roles we play in life and, with reference to a vast amount of research and data, shows us different ways of thinking about or approaching them. The evidence that supports her advice is compelling (the end of the book contains some 20 pages of references) and therefore further encourages the reader to re-evaluate and fulfil their potential.
Where science meets theory
For me, Mindset has never been a cover-to-cover read. But it’s an invaluable tool in my own self-development as well as in helping my clients to achieve the best version of themselves. Wherever you choose to dip into this wealth of knowledge, the theory is backed up by science; Dweck’s psychology training comes to the fore and leaves you in no doubt as to why this works.
As if we needed any more proof, this article by Forbes reminds us of management guru, Peter Drucker’s quote “culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
It’s certainly obvious by reading on that Microsoft are a living example of the success of a growth mindset. A new CEO in 2014 instigated a culture change which removed internal competition, rigidity and rules and replaced them with cooperation, collaboration, listening and learning; all the great bedfellows of the growth mindset. Coming back to the burden of proof, if that’s what convinces you, Microsoft outperformed the S&P500 index by over 80% during the tenure of the new CEO.
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