An Uphill Battle: Why Cultivating a Growth Mindset is Not Easy for Leaders

By Jayson Krause, Managing Director of Level 52 & Award-Winning Author of The Science Behind Success

When it comes to personal and professional development, the concept of a 'growth mindset' has become something of a buzzword. Coined by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, it refers to the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and the right kind of feedback. Sounds simple, right? Yet, the reality is that developing a growth mindset is really challenging. The question is, why?

First, let's look at the science. In one of Dweck's famous studies with fifth graders, she demonstrated how a single sentence of praise could stimulate either a growth or fixed mindset, making up to a 50% difference in performance. Children praised for their effort were more likely to choose a harder test in the next round, while those praised for their intelligence opted for an easier one. This study underscores the power of our words and the narratives we internalize about our abilities.

So, why is it so hard to cultivate a growth mindset? One reason is that we're often locked into patterns of fixed thinking from a young age. If you've been told you're a 'natural' at something, you might avoid challenges in that area for fear of proving that belief wrong. On the flip side, if you've been told you're 'just not a math person', you might avoid mathematical challenges, believing improvement is impossible.

Let's look at a practical example inside the business. Imagine you're a manager who's always been praised for your 'natural leadership skills'. You might be hesitant to seek feedback or take on new challenges, fearing that any struggle or failure might shatter this image and wreck your reputation. This is a fixed mindset in action.

To shift towards a growth mindset, you need to reframe challenges as opportunities for learning, rather than threats to your identity. Instead of thinking, "If I struggle with this, it means I'm not a good leader," you might think, "Struggling with this is an opportunity to grow and become a better leader." Reframing is a powerful skill and it’s why we provide leaders practical tools to specifically exercise a growth mindset in our Accelerated Leader Programs.

Developing a growth mindset is hard because it requires us to challenge deeply ingrained beliefs and to embrace discomfort and uncertainty. But the rewards - increased resilience, improved performance, and greater satisfaction - make it an uphill battle worth fighting.

Want to learn how to coach a growth mindset in others? Join our next open enrollment Coaching Skills for Managers bootcamp.