Growth Mindset: The Way of Thinking That Helps You Grow at Work
What a growth mindset is, how it differs from a fixed mindset at work, six ways to build it, reframing phrases, and the common misunderstandings.
Two people get the same feedback: “This report's data analysis isn't deep enough.” The first thinks, “I'm just not a data person,” and starts avoiding this kind of work. The second thinks, “I can't do this yet. What do I need to learn?” and goes to ask someone who is good at it. A year later, their skills look very different. The difference did not start with intelligence. It started with how they think about their own ability.
What is a growth mindset?
Carol Dweck, a psychologist at Stanford University, describes two kinds of belief about ability:
- Fixed mindset: believing ability is set. “I'm either good at this or I'm not.” Failure feels like a verdict that you are not good enough.
- Growth mindset: believing ability can be developed through effort, good strategies and help from others. “I'm not good at this yet, but I can learn.”
In her talk The Power of Yet at TEDxNorrköping, Dweck describes a Chicago high school that gave the grade “Not Yet” instead of a fail, so students would see themselves as still on a learning curve. The idea applies directly to working life.
Fixed vs growth at work
- Fixed: “I'm bad with data” ➜ Growth: “I'm not good with data yet. I'll start with basic Excel.”
- Fixed: “AI is taking jobs, I'm finished” ➜ Growth: “Which parts of my work can AI help with, and which still need a person?” See Will AI take your job?
- Fixed: “Criticism means I'm not good” ➜ Growth: “Feedback tells me what to adjust.” See Giving Feedback
- Fixed: “My colleague got promoted, so I lost” ➜ Growth: “What did they do that I can learn?”
6 ways to build a growth mindset
- Add the word “yet”: turn “I can't do it” into “I can't do it yet.” One word turns a verdict into a starting point.
- Praise the process, not only the result: for yourself and your team. For example, “the way you broke the problem into parts really helped,” instead of “you're so smart.”
- Treat failure as data: after a mistake, write three lines: what didn't work, why, and what you will try next time.
- Learn from people who are better: instead of comparing and feeling discouraged, ask them to walk you through how they work for 15 minutes. Most people are happy to share when asked sincerely.
- Stretch a little at a time: each week pick a task slightly harder than usual. Hard enough to require learning, not so hard you lose heart.
- Make your learning plan concrete: “get better” is not a plan. “Do an Excel course on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 30 minutes each” is a plan. Find partner courses at Plants.work Learn.
Watch out: common misunderstandings
- A growth mindset is not just positive thinking: trying harder with a method that doesn't work won't make you better. You also need to change strategy and get help.
- It doesn't mean everyone can be equally good at everything: it means everyone can improve from where they stand.
- Nobody is 100% growth: everyone has triggers that push them back to fixed thinking, such as being criticised in front of others. Noticing which mindset you are in is the first step.
- It is not an excuse to tolerate a bad environment: if a job offers no chance to learn, moving on is a reasonable choice.
The single word “yet” turns failure from an ending into a beginning.
How to start
- For one week, notice how often you say or think fixed-mindset sentences, and about what.
- Pick one skill you have called “not my thing” and set a small 30-day goal.
- Ask your manager or a colleague for feedback on one thing, then follow up with “what would you do differently?”
- Keep a weekly note of what you learned from mistakes.
- Not sure which skill to develop next? Try the career quiz or ask the AI Career Assistant.
A growth mindset pairs well with another skill employers look for. Read more about Adaptability and the soft skills that matter. To learn from someone who has grown through their own mistakes, talk to a mentor on Plants.work.