The Growth Mindset
Mindsets are the beliefs we hold about our abilities. Someone in a Fixed Mindset believes that their abilities are fixed, that ‘you’ve either got it or not’ whereas someone in a Growth Mindset understands that our abilities are malleable and can be developed with effort, motivation and concentration. These mindsets are significant because they influence behaviour and determine whether we go on to fulfil our potential or plateau. They shape our mental world and influence our capacity to learn and lead, to innovate and develop. They are key to professional development, business innovation and organisational success.
The mindsets are based on research by Prof Carol Dweck at Stanford University and are backed by data from neuroscience. Positive psychology itself operates in a growth mindset – we can learn optimism, develop our strengths and grow our happiness. Having a Growth Mindset is essential for any new project or positive change programme. It encourages us to leave our comfort zone, experiment and learn from what happens.
We deliver training and coaching in the Growth Mindset in bespoke sessions and also in combination with other relevant areas such as Strengths, Resilience and Grit. One of our associates has worked with Prof Dweck with tech start-ups in 
Silicon Valley, USA.
Content includes:
- What is the growth and fixed mindset
- How the brain works: The neuroscience of mindsets
- Compare and contrast the growth, fixed and false growth mindset
- How to develop a growth mindset.
- An action plan to embed the growth mindset.
Find Out More
- What having a Growth Mindset means with Prof Carol Dweck.
- How the Growth Mindset makes for better leaders.
- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on developing a ‘learn-it-all’ rather than a ‘know-it-all’ workplace culture.
- Video clip of Satya Nadella.
- Why the Growth Mindset is so important for children and young people.
Testimonials
“Following a session on ‘growth mindset’ I felt motivated to apply this methodology when setting out to achieve goals. It made me realise that putting in effort and changing approach can get the desired results. And if it doesn’t, to not give up. Instead to try a different approach and put more effort in to get a better result next time. And that cultivating a growth mindset never stops.” Rebecca Fowler, Environment Agency.
“Just a quick note to say thank you for today, you packed a lot in and it felt really valuable. I hope lots of it resonated with the team, it certainly did for me.” Creative Director, BBC.
“Miriam delivered a fantastic session that was both thought-provoking and positive. Bringing together elements of growth mindset, positive psychology and strengths profiling enabled staff to self-reflect, learn about each other and take away some fantastic tips for applying growth mindset on a day-to-day basis. A very positive way to begin the new term and will look forward to seeing how this training benefits us over time. Thank you Miriam!” Nick Evans, Head teacher, Ridgeway School, Warwick.
Prof Carol Dweck’s TED talk on the Growth Mindset
