How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset at Work

In today's fast-paced, professional world, a growth mindset can help. It is a mindset coined by psychologist Carol Dweck that says that we can all develop abilities and intelligence through hard work and dedication and that all of us have ways to grow, stretch, and achieve. It fosters innovation, resilience, and an ongoing improvement mindset that we need to thrive in the workplace. Read on to see how you can foster a growth mindset and evergreen learning culture.

1. Embrace Challenges
Attitude towards challenges is change for opportunity in disguise. Rather than avoiding tasks that are feeling intimidating, see these as an opportunity to learn and increase what you do. Sometimes, it's time to step out of your comfort zone and take on a project or learn a skill you're not used to — and that's when you're going to see some amazing personal and professional development.

Action Tip: If you have a job that your not a fan of or just doesn't go well, break it into smaller steps and successes.

2. Value Effort Over Perfection
So, a growth mindset is about effort and not beating yourself up. There is no such thing as perfection but effort towards perfection will never ever hurt you! If you spend your time trying to get it right instead of being right, you create a space where learning and creativity can occur.

Action Tip: Set achievable goals and remain single-tracked on making progress rather than get distracted by perfection. Think of your efforts at regular intervals, and reflect on areas of need to improve.

3. Learn From Feedback
Feedback is a gift of information on your performance. The criticism that is generally perceived as being given for the sake of 'doing it right' is an opportunity to get better, not a personal attack. Once you learn how to seek and accept feedback without feeling attacked, you have the means to grow and refine your skills.

Action Tip: The next step is to get feedback specifically from colleagues or supervisors. To implement the given suggestion, practice active listening and take notes.

4. Learn from Failures Like this as Opportunities to Learn
Stepping stones to success are failures. FAILURE ISN'T THE DEAD END OF A GROWTH MINDSET. Analyze what went wrong and learn how to use that knowledge to increase the resilience you can take on to provide improved problem-solving skills.

Action Tip: Recovering from a setback is to ask yourself "What did I learn from this experience?" Make better decisions using the answers.

5. Stay Curious and keep learning.
Innovation and creativity requires curiosity. Being curious and wanting to know more will help you keep developing and don't get rusty when new circumstances arrive. Continuous learning is key to growth, whether it be reading, going to workshops, or taking courses online.

Action Tip: Set aside time each week to learn something new in your field or interests.

6. Surround Your Self With Growth Oriented People
Your company has a lot to say about what you think. When colleagues and mentors around you are around that value growth and innovation, it is an inspiration to you to behave and act in a similar fashion.

Action Tip: Connect with others who push you and inspire you. Find communities or groups that help you share knowledge and develop yourself.

7. Honoring Milestones and Efforts in Achievements
And if it's a small growth, they encourage it because a growth mindset will accept it. Persistence is encouraged, and morale builds when we celebrate efforts.

Action Tip: Visualize the progress with a personal or a team achievement tracker. Rewards or sharing to your team, celebrate your accomplishment!

In conclusion, Building a growth mindset at work isn't an overnight switch, but is so incredibly worth the effort. If you can tackle challenges, learn from feedback, and commit to ongoing improvement, you will be able to accomplish more and add value for your company that you can imagine. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward greatness, and while you may not believe it, every single step will contribute to your greatness.