Developing a Growth Mindset in the Workplace

Designed to help participants understand the power of developing a growth mindset and the practical ways it is possible to cultivate this in themselves and in others. A growth mindset fosters creativity, innovation and the ability to handle difficulty and setbacks. This can result in improved performance, greater confidence and more adaptability when handling challenges that invariably arise.

Course Context

Individuals with a fixed mindset believe both intelligence and talent are things we are born with. They respond negatively when they fail which leads them to be less likely to try something new, now or in the future, for fear of failure or fear of not being seen to fail. In the workplace this can lead to behaviours such as covering up mistakes, blaming others and ignoring constructive feedback. They are easily threatened by others’ achievements which can lead to controlling behaviour, both in how they handle and take credit for their own work and how they treat colleagues and subordinates. The ramifications of a fixed mindset are poor for individual development as well as team cohesion and the culture of an organisation.

The growth mindset is based on over 35 years of research, much of it led by Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University. Those with a growth mindset do not fear failure and are willing to put themselves up for a challenge, as they believe that with effort and good instruction all have the capacity to succeed, particularly when this is viewed as a chance to grow.

Dweck’s research has shown that when children read and learn about the brain; how malleable it is, and how it grows and changes when responding to a challenge; they are more likely to carry on and try again if they don’t succeed. This knowledge encourages them to have a thirst for learning, welcome a challenge, look for alternatives, value effort and not see failure as something permanent – in other words, they develop a growth mindset. In the workplace, those with a growth mindset believe talents and abilities can be developed, appreciate the value of mistakes and criticism; and thus pick themselves up to find a solution, seize challenges, and find the success of others inspiring rather than threatening.

Duration: 1-day course
Capacity: 12 recommended for optimum results
Availability: One of our experienced trainers designed and delivers this course in-house, please contact us to check their current availability
Customisation: The content can be tailored to meet an organisation’s individual requirements

Who Is It For?

Any staff member looking to develop themselves and/or their team would benefit from this course.

Developing a growth mindset enables people to venture out of their comfort zone and instead of seeing challenges as threatening, see them as exciting opportunities to enhance their abilities and continue to grow.

This can be of particular value to organisations in, or planning, a period of change, as it helps individuals sit more comfortably with uncertainty, be more honest about their feelings of vulnerability and not feel fear when presenting ideas that might not be regarded positively.

Testimonials for the Developing a Growth Mindset in the Workplace Course:

"Really enjoyed it, can apply to practice. Really enjoyed exercises –
Learned about self. Very relevant pitched just right."

"Very useful. Thoroughly enjoyable and looking forward to implementing with the team."

Key Benefits

From a leadership perspective, this course encourages reflection on the benefits a growth mindset culture can bring to an organisation and whether an emphasis on striving for success could be inhibiting risk taking and hindering learning through fear of failure; rather than success evolving from failure and employees learning and developing from this.

The benefits to participants include:

Recognising how to empower employees to be more curious and constantly seek ways to improve how they carry out their role and achieve objectives.
Provide opportunities for employees to identify and build their strengths to achieve more.
Help those that struggle with failure, who are too quick to say, “I can’t”, and don’t believe in the power of effort.
Give employees the confidence to step outside their comfort zone and try new approaches.

Course Content

Understanding the difference between the growth and fixed mindset
Identifying your own mindset
Preparing the brain to build a growth mindset and the impact this will have

Using a growth mindset at work to achieve success
Learning how a growth mindset builds resilience, wellbeing and the ability to handle pressure

Related Training Courses

Developing Personal Resilience

Delegates are introduced to skills which will increase their confidence when facing the pressures and difficulties of today's challenging workplace. A highly interactive course which includes a variety of tools and exercises.

Developing Resilience: Training for Managers

A 1-day course which helps those with management responsibility to both improve their own personal resilience as well as learn how they can support the resilience of those they manage through a variety of exercises and facilitated discussions.

Building Resilient Teams

Training for a whole team to come together and learn what is needed, in a relaxed and informal environment, to collectively build their resilience. Each member will leave understanding the role they play in crafting a supportive, unified and high performing team.

Find out more

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

We are always happy to talk about our courses and help you to work out the best match for your requirements.

Email us or call 0131 476 5027

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

"The quality of the training has been fantastic and our employees are really engaging with the trainer and getting something out of it. Also In Equilibrium makes the whole process very easy to arrange."

— Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Officer, Sophie Holland

AGE UK

"We wanted to provide a course that taught useful and practical coping strategies that our members could put into place straight away. In Equilibrium’s experience showed us that they could provide this, and they tailored the course perfectly."

— The Association of Electoral Administrators

"In-Equilibrium recently presented Mental Health Awareness to Managers in all of our area offices. The training was really well received and all of the trainers were praised for their in-depth knowledge and understanding."

— Roger Bullivant Limited

"The training was very well received by staff who now all intend to implement the session’s practical tips and techniques into their existing roles. A large proportion of the staff rated the facilitator and their delivery as excellent and their only recommendation was for a further and longer session!"

— Leeds City College

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