Active learning
How to build a growth mindset (and encourage it in your team)
How to build a growth mindset (and encourage it in your team)
5 minutes
Growth mindset isn’t about being positive – it’s about how you respond when things get hard.
It shows up in the language you use, the risks you take, and how you handle setbacks.
Here’s how to start building it in a practical, everyday way.
1
Add “yet” to the way you think and speak
Shift language from fixed to developing.
• “I’m not good at this” to “I’m not good at this yet.”
• “I can’t do it” to “I’m still learning.”
As a leader: model this out loud. Your language sets the tone for the team.
• “I’m not good at this” to “I’m not good at this yet.”
• “I can’t do it” to “I’m still learning.”
As a leader: model this out loud. Your language sets the tone for the team.
2
Reframe failure as part of the process
Treat mistakes as data, not judgement.
• Ask: What did we learn? What will we try differently next time?
• Separate performance from identity - it’s about the work, not the person
As a leader: normalise talking about mistakes without blame.
• Ask: What did we learn? What will we try differently next time?
• Separate performance from identity - it’s about the work, not the person
As a leader: normalise talking about mistakes without blame.
3
Reward effort, not just outcomes
If you only celebrate results, people will avoid risk.
• Recognise: effort, progress, smart attempts, persistence
• Call out how someone approached the work, not just the result
As a leader: say things like
• “I can see the thinking you put into that.”
• “That was a strong first attempt, what would you refine?”
• Recognise: effort, progress, smart attempts, persistence
• Call out how someone approached the work, not just the result
As a leader: say things like
• “I can see the thinking you put into that.”
• “That was a strong first attempt, what would you refine?”
4
Make feedback safe and expected
Growth needs feedback - but only if people feel safe to hear it.
• Position feedback as input for improvement, not criticism
• Encourage people to actively ask for it
As a leader:
• Give clear, specific, actionable feedback
• Show how you use feedback yourself
• Position feedback as input for improvement, not criticism
• Encourage people to actively ask for it
As a leader:
• Give clear, specific, actionable feedback
• Show how you use feedback yourself
5
Get comfortable being uncomfortable
Growth sits just outside the comfort zone.
• Encourage trying new approaches, even if they’re not perfect
• Stretch people slightly beyond what they already know
As a leader:
• Assign work that builds capability, not just delivers output
• Back people when they take smart risks
• Encourage trying new approaches, even if they’re not perfect
• Stretch people slightly beyond what they already know
As a leader:
• Assign work that builds capability, not just delivers output
• Back people when they take smart risks
6
Focus on progress, not perfection
Perfection slows learning, but progress builds confidence and faster learning.
• Break goals into small, visible steps
• Track improvement over time
As a leader: highlight progress regularly
• “You’re further along than you were last month”
• Break goals into small, visible steps
• Track improvement over time
As a leader: highlight progress regularly
• “You’re further along than you were last month”
7
Shift you internal (and team) narrative
Pay attention to how people talk about themselves and their work.
• Replace: “I’m just not good at this.”
• With: “I’m learning how to do this.”
As a leader: challenge fixed language when you hear it.
• Replace: “I’m just not good at this.”
• With: “I’m learning how to do this.”
As a leader: challenge fixed language when you hear it.
8
Reflect
Growth doesn’t happen without stopping to think.
After key moments, ask:
• What worked?
• What didn’t?
• What will we do differently?
As a leader: make reflection part of meetings.
After key moments, ask:
• What worked?
• What didn’t?
• What will we do differently?
As a leader: make reflection part of meetings.
Or here is a simple way to build your growth mindset every day, by reinforcing these three things consistently:
- Try (Take on the challenge)
- Learn (Reflect and adjust)
- Try again (Apply your learning)
by
Hellomonday