
How To Cultivate A Growth Mindset In The Workplace
A career coach talks about what a growth mindset means at your job.
Growth mindset can be a lot of things to a lot of different people. For some, it’s always trying to become the healthiest version of themselves; for others, being more open to new experiences and challenges. But for working guys, it means something very different at the office. Cultivating a growth mindset at work could mean the difference between stalling out at your job—or a promotion the next quarter.
WHAT GROWTH MINDSET MEANS
WHAT GROWTH MINDSET MEANS
We did the research and talked to career counselor and coach Lynn Berger about what a growth mindset means. “It’s a very open term,” she says, “but it means to go into work every day with the attitude of building on your skills, being open to new experiences and new relationships, and trying to look at situations as they arise as opportunities for some sort of growth—as challenging as they could be.”
Boss getting on your nerves, or an upcoming task you’re dreading? Find the silver lining: it’s not a hurdle, but an opportunity. “Look at problems as opportunities, and recognize that there's going to be a period of growth there,” says Berger.
“Look at problems as opportunities, and recognize that there's going to be a period of growth there.”
START WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION
START WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION
You can’t just flip a switch and get into a growth mindset—in or out of the workplace. In order to start getting better at your job (and get that promotion), you need to get better at, well, being yourself.
“You have to be in a good physical, mental, and emotional state as much as possible,” says Berger. “You have to be able to recognize that you need to take care of yourself and feel as good as you can, because it's hard to look at things positively or from a growth-oriented perspective if you're not in as good shape as you can be.”
That’s the very foundation, Berger says. Once you start taking better care of your body and mental and emotional health, you can start to focus on your growth in your career.
COUNT YOUR WINS
COUNT YOUR WINS
When you’re in a better state to start thinking about your career growth, it’s a good opportunity to actually take a step back—and be a little reflective. When you have an honest reflection of your career, you can tap into those positive feelings at work that you want.
“Think about times where you might've had that growth attitude, and things actually went better,” says Berger. “Recognize the value. If you can find times in your life where when you took that on, it was a success, and you felt good. You need to keep track of those things so that you see it works.”
Berger recommends keeping an in-depth work diary or journal—you can do this on the phone in your pocket—of your successes and wins in order to reflect later on them, and feel those positive feelings.
“The more you can remember that, the easier it becomes to take that mindset on,” she says.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE
Staying in a growth mindset can be challenging solo. It’s important to cultivate meaningful relationships at work that support it.
“You have to be very careful about the people you surround yourself with at work,” Berger says. “Look around and see the people that are surrounding themselves with that attitude. I think it's really important to be aware of that.”
You might think that means you need a solid boss or mentor to bring out your best self—but not necessarily. It could be just a lunch buddy. “Try to look at whatever situation you find yourself in,” Berger says, “and ask who are the people that you look to more as role models. Because it doesn't have to be one mentor. In each situation, look around for people that you can aspire towards.”
“Once you start taking better care of your body and mental and emotional health, you can start to focus on your growth.”
IN IT TO WIN IT
IN IT TO WIN IT
Cultivating a growth mindset at work isn’t easy. It starts by taking care of yourself—physically and mentally—staying positive, and surrounding yourself with great people. All the time. “It's very intentional,” Berger says. “It seems like something you have to really work at every day.” Start here—and see that promotion in your future.