Mindset Matters
We all get things wrong or fail at times. But seeing mistakes or failure as the limit of our abilities would be a guaranteed way to limit our success or career. Learning and being open to making mistakes is vital for progress.
This got me thinking about why so many leaders are closed to changing the way they communicate, like making the shift from telling employees what to do to a more inclusive style.
Fixed Mindset
We are less likely to improve at something if we don’t believe it is possible. In this scenario we have a fixed mindset. Being closed in how you think about improvement or telling yourself that you CAN’T do something, limits your potential. If you don’t believe that involvement improves your outcomes as a leader then you are unlikely to achieve it
Growth Mindset
If you think that YOU CAN, then you are more likely to succeed. The power of mindset and why it matters is not hard to grasp when we think of it in this way. Being open minded lifts the potential for your success. This is important for leaders as we constantly need to try new things to ensure we listen, connect and engage.
Believe it is possible
Taking the first step to being a better communicator and leader involves having a growth mindset. You have to believe in yourself first. Believing you can get better results using conversations is a major part of how leaders improve. Believing that you can get bigger results by asking and listening, is a big step towards improvement. It might feel like a leap of faith for some. But it works.
Activate your inner voice
Our mindset is our “inner voice”. It can help motivate our success at almost anything. Our internal voice can lift us up or bring us down. The trick is to control it. As Carol Dweck of Stanford University (authority on mindset) says:
“If you have a fixed mindset, you may see failures or setbacks as evidence that you’re not good enough. And you know what happens to most people when they hear that? They get stuck. And they don’t try anymore.
The right mindset means choosing growth and improvement over the negative self-talk and self-imposed limitations to potential. Instead of agreeing that they aren’t good enough, people with a growth mindset choose to push back. They tell themselves that they may not have the ability to do it now. But they can change that”.
When it comes to better communication, leaders with a fixed mindset might hear themselves saying:
● I am not a natural communicator
● Telling works for me, i dont need to change
● I am not charismatic or engaging like others
● I am not a good public speaker
● Communication is not part of my job
● Employees aren’t listening.
Some leaders refuse to accept the importance of communication as being part of their success story. I believe a fixed mindset plays a big part in that.
Leaders with a growth mindset might tell themselves some of these:
● I can get better at communicating
● Feedback will help my performance
● I can build confidence
● I can be engaging
● Communication is a part of my job
● I am getting better each time.
My mindset opened up a whole new world to me
Before I learnt to scuba dive my greatest fear wasn’t sharks or deep water. My fear was failing. I know now that I had a fixed mindset that stopped me from learning new skills. I did not believe I could navigate underwater or find my way back to a boat. This really held me back. It stopped me even trying.
Turns out my negative self-talk was limiting my own success and enjoyment. Eventually I changed my mindset and got certified. I am now a Rescue Diver, guiding teams underwater, diving in strong Indonesian currents, sometimes in caves and often with big sharks!! Sure, I have made errors, but learning from failure is what helps us grow and improve. Many say that if we are not failing then we are not learning.
