One of the most important factors in an organization’s success is the growth mindset of its employees. But what exactly is a growth mindset? In this article, we will take a closer look at the growth mindset and why it is so important for a successful organization

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Definition of grow mindset

The term growth mindset was introduced by Carol Dweck, an American psychologist. According to Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that one’s abilities are not fixed, but can be developed and improved through effort and learning. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, in which a person believes his abilities are naturally determined and cannot be changed

Why is the growth mindset of employees important?

A growth mindset has some clear benefits for employees and the organization they work for

• • Employees with a growth mindset are more inclined to take risks and challenge themselves. This creates new ideas and innovations for the organization.

• • A growth mindset can lead to greater motivation and job satisfaction among employees as they focus on growth and development rather than just achieving results.

• • Employees with a growth mindset are often better able to learn from mistakes and recover from setbacks. This leads to better long-term performance.

Explore also our gamification and E-learning capabilities

How can you promote the growth mindset of employees?

There are a number of ways managers and leaders can foster employee growth mindset

• • Give feedback that focuses on the employee’s growth, rather than just results. This could include specific comments about what an employee did well, rather than just saying that performance was good.

• • Create a culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, rather than signs of failure. This can be done, for example, by setting aside specific time in team meetings to discuss what went wrong and how to do better in the future.

• • Give employees the opportunity to grow and develop, for example, by allowing them to participate in training or working on projects.

• • Give employees responsibility and give them the freedom to do their work in a way that suits them. This makes them feel more engaged in their work and more motivated to grow.

The importance of leadership for growth mindset

It is important to realize that fostering employee growth mindset depends not only on the employees themselves, but also on the leadership of the organization. Managers have a major influence on the culture and environment in which employees work, so it is important that they themselves have a growth mindset and communicate this to their team

Managers with a growth mindset will be more inclined to take risks and accept mistakes as part of the learning process. They will also be more inclined to support and motivate their employees in their growth and development. This creates a culture where employees feel safe to step out of their comfort zone and try new things

In addition, leadership can also help foster growth mindset by creating clear goals and expectations for employees. This helps them focus on their growth and development and provides a sense of direction

Grow mindset and onboarding

The growth mindset is critical to the onboarding of new employees. When new employees have a growth mindset, they are more likely to adapt to the organization and develop faster. As a result, they will be productive faster and contribute to the growth of the organization

On the other hand, if a new employee has a fixed mindset, it may be more difficult for them to adapt to the organization and develop. This can lead to lower productivity and makes them more likely to drop out. Employees will not commit 100% when they feel a lack of motivation and purpose. See also our article on quiet quitting

To ensure that new employees have a growth mindset, it is important to involve them in the culture of growth and development within the organization from the beginning. This can be done, for example, by informing them about the growth mindset and how it is applied within the organization. With ENBOQ’s onboarding program tools, you can easily induct new employees in advance, share the story about your culture and impart the atmosphere during the onboarding process. Not for nothing is employee productivity 54% higher after a good onboarding program