PERSONAL CHANGE RESOURCES
GROWTH MINDSET
Growth Mindset
Growth mindset is a term coined by psychologist Carol Dweck to describe the belief that a person's abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. It contrasts with a fixed mindset, the belief that abilities and intelligence are innate and cannot be changed.
People with a growth mindset embrace challenges, see mistakes as opportunities for growth, and persist in the face of setbacks, while those with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges, see mistakes as threats to their self-esteem, and give up easily in the face of obstacles. According to Dweck, having a growth mindset can lead to greater academic and professional success, as well as personal growth and well-being.
Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
A growth mindset orientation views personal qualities such as intelligence and talent as qualities that can be developed through hard work, dedication and experience. It emphasizes the role of effort, perseverance and learning in achieving success and personal growth.
In contrast, a fixed mindset orientation sees personal qualities as innate and unchangeable traits. People with a fixed mindset believe that success is determined by factors outside of their control and that failure reflects a lack of natural ability. They are more likely to avoid challenges and give up in the face of setbacks, whereas those with a growth mindset approach challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
Expertise (or professional seniority) and Growth Mindset
Expertise can coexist with both a growth or a fixed mindset orientation. A person with a growth mindset may believe that their expertise can be further developed and expanded through learning and effort, leading them to actively seek new challenges and opportunities for growth.
On the other hand, a person with a fixed mindset may see their expertise as a finite, fixed entity, and may resist new information or be less likely to seek out new challenges that could expand their skills. In this case, their expertise may become stagnant, limiting their potential for growth and development.
It is important to cultivate a growth mindset in order to maintain a love for learning and a drive to continually improve and develop new skills.
“Don’t think about why you question, simply don’t stop questioning. Don’t worry about what you can’t answer, and don’t try to explain what you can’t know. Curiosity is its own reason. Aren’t you in awe when you contemplate the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure behind reality? And this is the miracle of the human mind - to use its constructions, concepts, and formulas as tools to explain what man sees, feels and touches. Try to comprehend a little more each day. Have holy curiosity.”