Dancing on the Edge of Growth Mindset
When it comes to leadership, it’s important to remember that it’s not a fixed mindset. You cannot simply learn the core competencies of leadership development and consider yourself an effective leader.
Amit Ray once said, ““Fixed mindset worries in the nest and the growth mindset dances on the edge.”
According to Forbes, these are the 12 critical leadership traits of a leader:
Be open-minded.
Get comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty.
Show strong situational awareness.
Have a greater sense of preparedness.
Have clarity on what others expect from your leadership.
Take ownership.
Grow with people.
Seek to eliminate mediocrity and complacency.
Break down silos.
Have a strong executive presence.
Stand for inclusion and promote individuality.
Want significance more than success.
If we are stuck in a scarcity versus abundance mindset, we will not be successful.
Growth mindset is the idea that even with struggles and setbacks, a person can overcome and learn without believing their skillset is set in stone — without checking off that they effectively and efficiently possess each critical leadership trait.
There is an abundance mindset dancing on the edges — the idea that there is always more to learn; there is always more to build and improve upon; you can still learn from others, and you don’t have to do it all yourself.
So how does this apply to leadership development?
It’s the long game. It’s the idea that the lessons you learn when you first start your career at 27 are going to be drastically different from the lessons you will learn at 37, 47, and so on.
You are learning the pieces to the overall leadership puzzle.
You’re being exposed to different things that are helping you figure out your own leadership style at different points in your career.
If you’re playing the long game, each situation, challenge or setback will teach you how you respond to adversity; how you interact with your team; and how you communicate mistakes and growth in an honest, clear and concise way.
It is teaching you your overall leadership style.
It’s the self-awareness that brings the abundance into your growth mindset.
If you’re aware enough to know what you don’t know, you will always be open to learning more.