Reilly actively seeks constructive feedback and incorporates it into a plan. Reilly learns from the failures and continues to refine them over the months that follow. Reilly does some research and rapidly prototypes a few solutions that are trialed in the market. Reilly loves to brainstorm and isn’t afraid to take risks. Reilly approaches this exercise differently.
Taylor prepares a single, well-researched solution and in a meeting will proudly defend its merits. Taylor methodically works on a plan, rarely consulting with others out of fear that the ideas may be discarded or challenged. Taylor believes there is one best launch strategy and doesn’t want to fail. Taylor gets right to work, taking pride in “getting it right.” Because Taylor relies on data to make decisions, Taylor spends a few months conducting research and compiling reports. Their boss has challenged them to develop new marketing strategies for their upcoming product launch.
Both work on the same team at a fast-growing tech company. Let’s look at two hypothetical individuals - Taylor and Reilly.
Her 2006 book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success lays out her findings. But it made her wonder - could the kids that weren’t identified with strong IQs still be successful? She questioned whether high test scores correlated with success, and subsequently embarked on decades of research to determine whether one’s mindset influenced outcomes. She noted that the highly gifted kids were recognized early on and their success was continually reinforced. Students with the highest IQ scores would then be chosen to erase the blackboard, carry the flag, or take a note to the principal’s office. She observed that students were seated by the teachers in order of their IQs. Have you ever felt uncertain about trying something because you’re afraid you’ll fail? Do you turn down new assignments because you don’t have the confidence to get the job done? Are your perfectionist tendencies holding you back from tackling a difficult project? Do you wish you could receive feedback without bristling and feeling insecure? Dweck’s research shows that people who persevere and persist through failure have a tendency to be happier and more successful than those who give in when challenges strike.ĭweck’s interest in mindset began when she was in 6th grade, back in the late ’50s. Many great leaders will tell you that cultivating a growth mindset is their secret sauce! You Can Cultivate a Growth Mindset But by reframing my “failures” as opportunities for growth, I’m able to see them as opportunities to learn. Sure, taking risks and “failing” isn’t fun. It’s when I stretch a bit, strive for loftier goals, put myself out there, risk failure (and, yes, perhaps even achieve it!) that I find my finest accomplishments and inner sense of joy. Personally, I’ve found that nothing great arises while I’m in my comfort zone. Through her research, Dweck has observed that the mindset you choose can have a profound impact on how you live your life. The field of mindset, pioneered by Carol Dweck at Stanford, has changed the way organizations like schools and workplaces operate. As Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t - you’re right.” Your Mindset Determines Whether You Succeed or Fail In my work with women seeking to advance in their careers and find greater joy in life, I’ve discovered there’s one key attribute that makes all the difference - your mindset.