Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset

Key Concepts

• Two types of mindsets:

  • Growth Mindset: Embraces problems as opportunities to learn.
  • Fixed Mindset: Avoids problems out of fear of failure.

• Fixed Mindset:

  • Belief that basic qualities like intelligence or talent are fixed traits.
  • Attributes success to these fixed traits.
  • Often documents past achievements.

• Growth Mindset:

  • Belief that new abilities can be developed through practice.
  • Creates a love for learning.
  • Shared by great leaders and artists.
  • Life becomes an exciting journey of figuring out new things and advancing.

Developing a Growth Mindset

• Advice from Dr. Carol Dweck (Stanford University professor who coined the term):
  • Celebrate trying and effort rather than just success.
  • Teachers should applaud students who study hard regardless of grades.
  • Parents should encourage children to develop new skills.
  • Learning the skill of learning helps in the classroom and beyond.

Illustrative Example

• Jay (Fixed Mindset) vs Ann (Growth Mindset):
  • Physical Exercise:
    • Jay avoids challenges to not look stupid.
    • Ann embraces challenges as exciting and fun.
  • Feedback:
    • Jay avoids feedback, takes criticism personally.
    • Ann sees feedback as a way to improve, understands it's about the work not her personally.
  • Effort and Persistence:
    • Jay takes the easy road, stops when stuck.
    • Ann avoids easy options, persists through challenges, practices regularly.
  • Reaction to Others' Success:
    • Jay feels threatened by others' success.
    • Ann feels inspired and motivates her friends, believing it helps her grow too.

Application in Modern Companies

• Companies prefer employees with a growth mindset.
• Interview question to differentiate:
  • "Are managers born or is management a skill learned?"
• Candidates with a growth mindset believe management is a learnable skill.

Scientific Support

• Neuroscientists confirm the brain grows with training.
• Studies on adopted twins: Higher intelligence with adoptive parents due to better education, showing nurture > nature.

Impact of Mindset

• A simple switch in mindset can significantly affect outcomes in life.
• Inspirational quote by Samuel Beckett: "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."

Questions for Reflection

• Is the concept of growth vs. fixed mindset overly simplistic?
• Is it possible to permanently switch from a fixed to a growth mindset?
• Discussion encouraged in the comments.