The Difference Between A Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

The Fixed Mindset: 

Picture someone with a fixed mindset in a business context. They might believe that their skills and intelligence are static, set in stone. They’re the type who think they’re either born with exceptional business acumen or not, and they attribute their achievements solely to their innate talents.

People with a fixed mindset in business often seek validation through external praise and shy away from challenging projects. When they face obstacles, they tend to give up quickly, and they often feel insecure when comparing themselves to others in the industry.

The Growth Mindset

On the flip side, a business professional with a growth mindset thrives on the idea that effort and learning are the building blocks of development. They understand that in the business world, skills and knowledge can be honed and expanded through dedication, hard work, and the adoption of effective strategies.

When they come across a challenge, they see it as an opportunity to grow and improve. They don’t fear the effort required, and they take inspiration from success stories in their industry. 

A growth mindset in business paves the way for continuous self-improvement and the achievement of their professional goals.

In her renowned book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,” Carol Dweck delves into extensive research that involved over 1,000 employees at Google. Dweck says “…Google employees who were rated high on growth mindset were more likely to be promoted and to earn higher salaries over a period of five years than those who were rated low on growth mindset.”

This study at Google provides strong evidence of how a growth mindset can lead to tangible success in the business world. Employees with a growth mindset are more inclined to tackle new challenges, learn from their mistakes, and persevere when faced with setbacks.

The growth mindset often sets people on a path to greater professional achievements. 

How to Know What Mindset You Have

Alright, let’s dig into understanding where you stand with your mindset. Renowned psychologist Carol Dweck has given us a straightforward way to figure it out. It’s a bit like taking a quiz to see if you’re more of a “fixed mindset” fan or leaning towards the “growth mindset” camp.

Here are questions for you to think of as mental self-reflection:

1. Do you believe that your intelligence is something you were born with and can’t change?
2. Do you think you can learn new things, but your basic intelligence is pretty much set in stone?
3. Are you someone who believes that, regardless of where you are now, you can still grow and learn substantially?
4. Do you see the potential to boost your intelligence by putting in the effort and dedication?

Let’s say you’re a manager at a tech company, and you’ve been given a challenging project. If you’re leaning towards questions 1 and 2, you might be thinking, “Well, I’ve always been good with numbers, but I can’t suddenly become a creative genius in marketing.” That’s a fixed mindset.

Now, if you’re more of a “3 and 4” person, you’d approach it differently. The project is a chance to learn new skills, even if it’s not your usual forte. You believe in your capacity to improve by putting in the time and effort. That’s the “growth mindset” coming into play.

Most people tend to have a dominant mindset, but it’s also quite common to mix it up depending on the situation. So, when you’re trying to understand your mindset, consider where you usually lean in various aspects of your life and your beliefs about your abilities.

The Road to Embracing a Growth Mindset

Transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset is quite doable, but it calls for some self-awareness and commitment. Think of it as a journey toward a more dynamic and adaptable way of thinking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you along the way:

Step 1: Identify Your Inner Critic

We all have that inner critic, the one who sometimes tells us, “You can’t do this; you’re not good enough.” Recognize this as the voice of your fixed mindset. The key is to acknowledge it when it pipes up and get ready to challenge it.

For example, if you’re a budding entrepreneur launching a startup, your fixed mindset might whisper, “You’ve never done this before; you’re not cut out for this.” That’s your cue to say, “Hold on, I can learn and adapt as I go.”

Step 2: Choose Your Perspective

Understand that you have the power to choose how you see challenges, setbacks, and criticism. You can either see them as signs of your fixed talent or as opportunities for growth. Opt for the latter – embrace those challenges as your chance to learn and evolve.

Imagine you’re in a marketing role at your company, and your latest campaign didn’t perform as expected. With a growth mindset, you’d think, “This is a great chance to figure out what works and what doesn’t in our marketing strategies.”

Step 3: Have a Conversation with Your Growth Mindset

Encourage yourself to view challenges as stepping stones to learning and progress. Instead of threats to your self-worth, see them as opportunities to improve your work.

As an example, let’s say you’re a software developer tackling a complex coding problem. Your growth mindset might pipe up and say, “This is your chance to master a new skill. Keep at it!”

Step 4: Take Action with a Growth Mindset

Once you’ve embraced this new perspective, it’s time to take actions that align with your growth mindset. Dive into challenges, don’t shy away from adversity, adjust your strategies when needed, and keep pushing your personal and professional development.

Questions That Fuel a Growth Mindset

To keep nurturing your “growth mindset,” ask yourself questions like these:

• What can I learn from this experience?
• How can I proactively work toward my goals?
• Do I have a clear vision of where I want to go?
• Where can I find constructive feedback to improve?
• What would it look like if I saw success in a specific area?
• When’s the right time to put that plan into action?
• How can I execute what I must do effectively?

These questions will steer your focus toward growth and expand your horizons, opening doors to learning and development.

A Word of Caution: The False Growth Mindset

It’s important to remember that maintaining a growth mindset doesn’t mean working tirelessly without direction. It’s about working intelligently. Seek out proven strategies and be open to testing and adapting them as necessary. Remember that growth comes from consistent practice, persistent effort, and discovering effective methods that work for you.

Final Take Away: Unleash Your Growth Mindset

It’s clear that your mindset plays a significant role in your path to success. Whether it’s in your career, personal life, or any endeavor you choose, embracing a growth mindset can unlock your full potential and pave the way for achievements beyond your imagination.

But the journey doesn’t end here.

Join Our Live Class in November, 2023!

If you’re ready to dive deeper into the techniques and strategies that will help you make a permanent shift toward a growth mindset, we invite you to register now for our upcoming live class, ‘Unleash The Potential Within’ on November 1-3, 2023. 

In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to break free from limited beliefs that lead to a fixed mindset. You’ll also know how to nurture and sustain a growth mindset, proven success strategies to reach your goals in life and much more!

Take advantage of this opportunity to take your personal and professional development to the next level. Register now and start your path to success with a growth mindset as your trusted companion. Don’t miss a chance at success!. 

See you in this upcoming class!