What Having a "Growth Mindset" Actually Means by Carol Dweck | Harvard Business Review

Summary

The concept of a growth mindset is often misunderstood. While people with a growth mindset believe talents can be developed through hard work and collaboration, many confuse it with traits like flexibility or positivity. Key misconceptions include the belief that a growth mindset is just about praising effort, or that simply endorsing growth-oriented values without implementation leads to success. True growth mindset involves rewarding learning, progress, and embracing setbacks. For individuals and organizations to cultivate a growth mindset, they must overcome fixed mindset triggers and implement supportive policies that promote real change and collaboration.

Takeaways

• 😀 Growth mindset means believing talents can be developed through effort, strategies, and feedback.
• 😀 People with a growth mindset tend to achieve more than those with a fixed mindset, who believe talents are innate.
• 😀 Embracing a growth mindset at the company level empowers employees, promotes collaboration, and boosts innovation.
• 😀 Companies with a fixed mindset tend to have more employee cheating and deception, reducing overall trust.
• 😀 A common misconception is that one already has a growth mindset—it's actually a mix of both fixed and growth mindsets that evolves with experience.
• 😀 A growth mindset is not just about praising effort but rewarding learning, progress, and effective strategies.
• 😀 It's important to emphasize the processes, like seeking help or trying new strategies, that lead to growth rather than just effort alone.
• 😀 Simply espousing a growth mindset in mission statements is ineffective unless backed by real policies and actions.
• 😀 Organizations that implement growth mindset policies support risk-taking, collaboration, and lessons learned, even from failures.
• 😀 Even with a growth mindset, individuals face triggers like criticism or comparison, which can hinder their progress if not managed properly.
• 😀 Deepening understanding and practice of growth mindset principles leads to personal and organizational growth, but it requires ongoing effort and reflection.

Q & A

What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that talents and abilities can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and input from others. People with this mindset tend to achieve more than those with a fixed mindset, who believe their talents are innate.

How does a growth mindset benefit employees in organizations?

Employees in organizations that embrace a growth mindset feel more empowered and committed. They also receive greater support for collaboration, innovation, and overall personal development, contributing to a more positive and productive workplace.

What are some common misconceptions about growth mindset?

There are several misconceptions, including: 1) Believing one already has a growth mindset. 2) Thinking growth mindset is only about praising effort. 3) Assuming that simply stating growth mindset values will lead to results without actual implementation.

Why do some people believe they already have a growth mindset?

Many people confuse growth mindset with being flexible, open-minded, or having a positive outlook. However, growth mindset is specifically about developing talents and abilities through effort and learning, not just having a positive attitude.

Why isn't praising effort enough in fostering a growth mindset?

Praising effort alone is insufficient because outcomes matter. It is critical to reward learning, progress, and the processes that lead to these results, such as trying new strategies and learning from setbacks, not just the effort put in.

What are the challenges in implementing a growth mindset in organizations?

Challenges include misconceptions about growth mindset, resistance to change, and fixed mindset triggers such as facing criticism or being compared to others. These can make it difficult for employees to engage in behaviors like seeking feedback, collaborating, and admitting errors.

How can companies truly embrace a growth mindset?

Companies must go beyond just stating values like 'growth' or 'innovation.' They need to implement concrete policies that support risk-taking, learning from failure, collaboration across boundaries, and fostering an environment of continuous development for all employees.

What role does failure play in a growth mindset?

In a growth mindset, failure is seen as a valuable learning opportunity rather than something to be avoided. It encourages employees to learn from mistakes, adjust strategies, and use setbacks as a stepping stone for further growth.

What is the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset?

A growth mindset believes that abilities and talents can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence, while a fixed mindset assumes that abilities are innate and unchangeable. People with a fixed mindset are less likely to take on challenges or seek feedback.

How can individuals work through their fixed mindset triggers?

Individuals can work through fixed mindset triggers, such as insecurity and defensiveness, by recognizing these responses and choosing to engage in growth-oriented behaviors, such as seeking feedback, learning from failure, and collaborating with others.