Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset Leader

 

Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset Leader

Leaders and leadership are two topics that grab the attention of many people. Because, these two things are really related to the lives of many people. Remembering leaders are those who will lead us to a common goal.

Talking about leadership, of course the leader needs to know what the elements of leadership are and how to form these elements. There are three important elements in leadership, namely skills, perseverance in practice, and mindset. Among the three elements, mindset is the most important element that a leader must have.

Mindsets are thoughts that are formed based on experience and beliefs that influence decision making, behavior, or the way a person thinks in acting, and seeing the world in the future. That is, the mindset influences a person to act more in a positive or negative direction. A person's mindset can be judged from the views, principles, and values ​​he holds.

As previously mentioned, mindset as the most important element of leadership determines the quality of a leader's thoughts, actions, and decision-making. Of course we remember that being a good leader cannot happen instantly. Good leaders are those who have gone through various bitter experiences, independent learning, and have positive thinking. Then, comes the mindset that becomes the basic foundation of leaders in learning and increasing self-confidence.

To achieve this, there is a growth mindset which believes that a person's quality is determined by the effort he/she does, not from the natural talent of heredity that cannot be changed. Everyone can change and develop through positive thinking, treatment, and experience. In terms of leadership, the growth mindset believes that anyone can become a leader as long as they are willing to learn and work hard.

Growth Mindset Survey

In 2018, NeuroLeadership conducted a survey about the identity of people who have a growth mindset. From 208 respondents, it was found that 89 percent agreed that a growth mindset is a belief that can help a person to grow, 9 percent agreed that a growth mindset is a way for someone to think positively and optimistically.

Then, 1.4 percent answered that growth mindset was only a business term and 0.5 percent did not know what a growth mindset was. So it can be concluded that the definition of a growth mindset is in accordance with the existing understanding.

For example, we can look at Microsoft as the closest example of the influence of the growth mindset on leadership. In 2001--2014, Microsoft's sales tended to stagnate and did not increase. This can be fatal because competitors can find loopholes and overtake the success of the big company.

However, Microsoft's face changed when Satya Nadella took over as leader. Nadella is on a mission to completely change leadership and corporate culture. The growth mindset is Nadella's main weapon in changing Microsoft. With this growth mindset-style leadership, Microsoft has tripled its market advantage.

Traits of Leaders with a Growth Mindset

Then, how to identify a leader with a growth mindset? We can recognize them by looking at their characteristics. Here are the characteristics.

1. Acknowledge others

Leaders with a growth mindset tend to appreciate the hard work of those under them. They realize that the people they lead have tried hard to change themselves, and their performance for the better.

2. Conducting coaching and mentoring

Leaders who have a growth mindset feel very happy when they can help their members to grow. These leaders will provide coaching and mentoring to the people they lead. In addition, they will encourage their members to develop themselves, and appreciate the developments that occur within these members.

3. Gives a sense of security

A sense of security is something that leaders must give their members. Leaders with a growth mindset ensure a sense of security for their members in moving. However, this does not mean that leaders let their members relax without experiencing work progress. Instead, leaders encourage their members to be progressively creative.

4. Inspire

Leaders who have a growth mindset are always looking for thousands of ways to inspire the people they lead, to want to learn and grow.

5. Self-aware

Self-awareness is the main characteristic of leaders with a growth mindset. This leader is aware that the work of his members is a reflection of the effectiveness of his leadership. They are good at recognizing and knowing the elements of leadership that must be improved.

6. Have social skills

Leaders with a good growth mindset are those who have good social skills. The ears of leaders are wide open to listen to the needs, wants, and complaints of their members. In addition, leaders with a growth mindset are excellent communicators, and can maintain good relationships with the people they lead.

7. Good learner

Good learners are another hallmark of leaders with a growth mindset. These leaders always study hard and study smart without. They feel that learning is a process that needs to come first, before setting a good example for the people they lead.

These leaders learn through various activities. These include building a positive inner dialogue, seeing obstacles as opportunities to learn, not setting perfect targets, not labeling yourself, not pursuing proof, and learning without getting tired.*