Imagine this: you’ve just walked out of a meeting where nothing went as planned. The project is delayed, your team seems deflated, and for a moment, you wonder if you’ve taken on more than you can handle. It’s a familiar feeling for any leader—those moments where self-doubt starts to creep in.
What separates the leaders who thrive from those who get stuck? It isn’t intelligence or skill. It’s how they think about challenges. This is where the growth mindset comes in—a concept that, at first glance, might seem a bit theoretical but is deeply practical. A growth mindset, coined by Dr Carol Dweck, is all about how you view your own capacity to learn and grow. And as leaders, it’s perhaps the most powerful tool we have.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just about having a positive attitude. It’s about literally rewiring your brain to become more adaptable, resilient, and open to new possibilities.
A Simple Shift in Perspective
When I first heard about the concept of a growth mindset, it seemed almost too simple: believing that you can grow makes it more likely that you will. But when you look deeper, there’s a whole world of neuroscience behind it. It’s called neuroplasticity, and it’s a game-changer for leadership.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s way of adapting, forming new connections, and growing stronger when faced with new challenges. Imagine your brain as a network of roads. Every time you learn something new or push through a challenge, you’re paving a new road. The more you use it, the stronger that road becomes. But here’s the catch—you have to be willing to pave those roads, and that’s where mindset matters.
When Challenges Become Opportunities
Here’s a story. A few years ago, I worked with a leader—let’s call him Tom—who was great at getting results. But he had one blind spot: he was terrified of failure. In every meeting, you could feel the tension. If a project was behind or a mistake had been made, Tom would immediately go into fix-it mode. And while that worked for a while, over time, his team became risk-averse. They weren’t willing to try new things because they were afraid of failing.
One day, after a particularly rough meeting, we sat down, and I asked him: “What would happen if you didn’t have all the answers right now? What if you let the team stumble a bit, so they could learn?”
Tom wasn’t sure at first. But eventually, he started leaning into the discomfort. He allowed his team to make mistakes and, more importantly, to learn from them. And you know what? His team grew. They became more innovative, more confident, and more willing to take risks. It wasn’t about lowering standards—it was about shifting how they viewed growth.
This is the essence of a growth mindset. It’s not about saying, “Everything’s fine.” It’s about asking, “What can I learn from this, and how can I improve?”
The Science Behind Growth
What’s fascinating about this is that it’s not just a feel-good idea—it’s rooted in science. Neuroplasticity tells us that our brains are constantly evolving. Every time you push through a challenge or learn something new, your brain strengthens those neural connections, making it easier to tackle similar challenges in the future.
Think of it like going to the gym. The first time you try lifting weights, it’s hard. You might not be able to lift much, and your muscles will ache. But over time, as you continue to practise, your muscles grow stronger, and the task becomes easier. Your brain works the same way. The more you challenge yourself, the more adaptable and resilient it becomes.
This is why leaders who embrace a growth mindset tend to be more successful in the long run. They’re not afraid of the heavy lifting. They see challenges as an opportunity to build strength, not as a reason to give up.
Practical Ways to Build a Growth Mindset
So, how can you start shifting your mindset? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. The next time you’re faced with something tough, remind yourself that this is where the growth happens. The discomfort is a sign that your brain is stretching.
Shift Your Language: Pay attention to the language you use with yourself. If you catch yourself saying, “I’m just not good at this,” try adding a simple word at the end: “yet.” “I’m not good at this yet.” It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference.
Celebrate Effort: We often focus too much on results. But effort—real, consistent effort—is where growth comes from. Whether it’s your own efforts or your team’s, make a point to recognise and celebrate the work being put in, even when the outcome isn’t perfect.
Seek Feedback: It’s not always easy to hear, but feedback is one of the most powerful tools for growth. Instead of seeing it as criticism, view it as a gift—someone is giving you the tools you need to get better.
The Real Impact of a Growth Mindset
Leaders like Satya Nadella at Microsoft have embraced the growth mindset, transforming the culture of entire organisations. Nadella famously pushed Microsoft from a fixed, “know-it-all” culture to a “learn-it-all” one. The result? A company that is more innovative, resilient, and adaptable to change.
But you don’t need to be the CEO of a global tech company to benefit from this mindset. Whether you’re leading a small team or managing a large organisation, the growth mindset is about being open to new possibilities, learning from mistakes, and trusting that both you and your team are capable of evolving.
Final Thought
Next time you face a challenge that seems overwhelming, take a moment to pause. Instead of asking, “How can I avoid this?” ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about growing, learning, and becoming better—one challenge at a time.
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