What is Growth Mindset? “To get the best out of people, we have to believe that the best is in there.” John Whitmore, Coaching for Performance

Fixed mindset vs. Growth mindset In the Finance Office… “Wow, Chris the new guy, has a list of diplomas as long as my arm. Everyone’s been talking about how helpful he is.” Paul Jane “He’d better not ask for my help. He’s the smart boy in the room. He can figure it out.” “It’s great, there’s probably a lot I can learn from him, and he seems nice.” “How does he know all that stuff!? I should have gone to that budget management training months ago but I’ve always managed until now. No way I’m going now or he’ll think I don’t have a clue.” “Chris was so helpful, he gave me lots of tips. I can see what I was doing wrong before. He recommended a very good budget management training. It’s all new and a bit scary but hey, I want to learn!” “This was a disaster!!! The boss asked me a question at the team meeting and I couldn’t answer. Of course Chris DID know the answer! I feel like I’m such a failure. It’s all HIS fault!” “Gosh that training was tough! I kept getting the answers wrong! I didn’t know I had so much to learn but it’s great because I know a little more already. It feels good!! Thanks Chris!”

Fixed mindset: “people cannot change & low effort syndrome” People with a fixed mindset believe their ability is always on the line. They need to be validated. Here, Chris is a threat. People with a fixed mindset will do whatever it takes to hide any weakness and not feeling judged. In a fixed mindset, effort is no cause for pride. People with a fixed mindset think that “it’s personal” and that they deserve being a failure. Because they can never be wrong they will blame others. Paul “He’d better not ask for my help. He’s the smart boy in the room. He can figure it out.” “How does he know all that stuff!? I should have gone to that budget management training months ago but I’ve always managed until now. No way I’m going now or he’ll think I don’t have a clue.” “This was a disaster!!! The boss asked me a question at the team meeting and I couldn’t answer. Of course Chris DID know the answer! I feel like I’m such a failure. It’s all HIS fault!”

Growth mindset: “I don’t mind failing as long as I see improvements or feel I gave my best” Jane “It’s great, there’s probably a lot I can learn from him, and he seems nice.” “Chris was so helpful, he gave me lots of tips. I can see what I was doing wrong before. He recommended a very good budget management training. It’s all new and a bit scary but hey, I want to learn!” “Gosh that training was tough! I kept getting the answers wrong! I didn’t know I had so much to learn but it’s great because I know a little more already. It feels good!! Thanks Chris!” People with a growth mindset welcome challenges and thrive on them. They may fail but they don’t see themselves as a failure. They ask themselves “did I give it my best shot?” People with a growth mindset believe that their basic qualities can be improved and developed through learning and effort. They make mistakes but don’t feel judged. People with a growth mindset welcome opportunities to learn more than they already know. They know they can learn from others.

Fixed Mindset It’s not my fault! I can’t become more intelligent! I’m a failure People simply can’t change It’s too hard! I can’t do it! Even if I try I won’t manage I don’t need to learn; I’m smart! It’s too cold, it’s too hot, it’s too noisy…

Growth mindset The more I practise the better I get I don’t mind making mistakes as long as I improve Did I really do my best? It’s the journey that matters! Let’s try again! Challenge and nurture The worse I feel, the more motivated I become Keep improving! It’s hard work but it’s worth it!

What is wrong with that?

How to praise using Growth Mindset (1)? Well done [on your math test]! The child understands “Super! My parent/ teacher is very happy with me.” What message does the child’s brain really understand? “ I don’t need to do anything more. I can just continue doing the same thing.” What to say instead? “I can see you spent time practising your [times tables] and that you have concentrated really well on the test.” What does the child’s brain understand now? “The more I practise, the better I get.”

How to praise using Growth Mindset (2)? You’re so clever, you did that [exercise] in no time at all! The child understands “I’m the best, I’m so smart!” What message does the child’s brain really understand? “ I’m the best and I don’t need to worry about practising any more.” What to say instead? “Thanks to all your efforts you keep getting better and better.” What does the child’s brain understand now? “When I work on something for a long time and I keep trying, I start figuring it out.”

The Growth Mindset Steps It’s the learning that counts: failures tell us about what we can improve. – “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work”. Thomas Edison. Challenge beliefs: “If something is hard it’s because I’m not good at it!” – “I think my greatest victory was every time I walked out there, I gave it everything I had.” Jimmy Connors. Think of how to make something (even more) interesting: We are naturally good at what we like. – “When you’re curious you find lots of interesting things to do.” Walt Disney. Think about your goal: What can I do to stay on track and achieve it? – “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible”. Tony Robbins.

And now, how about our mindset!? It is time to elect a new world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the facts about the two leading candidates:

Candidate A Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists. He’s had at least one mistress. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day. Candidate B He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, rumoured to have used opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.

This is Growth Mindset “To get the best out of people, we have to believe that the best is in there.” Thank you for your time