Inspiring a Growth Mindset in Leader Development
As a leader, you face challenges every day. People look to you for direction, answers and decisions. Leadership isn’t just about having the right skills, it’s also about staying open to learning. That’s where a growth mindset can make a real difference.
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck explains that when you believe your abilities can improve with effort, learning and feedback, you’re more likely to grow. This mindset helps you stay flexible, bounce back from setbacks and continue building your leadership skills over time.
How Mindset Shapes Behaviour
Your brain is always learning. Science shows that your brain forms new connections through a process called neuroplasticity, especially when you take on new challenges or try different approaches.
When you believe that learning is possible, you’re more likely to take smart risks, reflect on mistakes and push yourself to grow. On the other hand, if you believe your abilities are fixed, you might avoid feedback or stick to what’s familiar. That kind of thinking can hold you back. Dr. Roberta Borgen, a guest during one of our Mindful Mondays sessions, said it well: “If someone is overly challenged, they're overwhelmed. And if they're too overwhelmed for too long, they're going to become disengaged. However, if someone is under-challenged, they're going to feel underutilized. And when they're underutilized long enough, they're also going to become disengaged.” As a leader, you’ve probably felt this tension. Too much pressure can make you shut down. Too little challenge can make you feel stuck. A growth mindset helps you find that balance, stretching just enough to learn without burning out.
When Learning Feels Risky, You Might Hold Back
Even if you believe in growth, you might hesitate to speak up, ask questions, or admit when something isn’t working. That hesitation usually comes from a lack of psychological safety - a term used to describe environments where people feel safe to be honest and take risks.
When you worry about being judged, you’re less likely to try something new. But when you feel supported, you’re more likely to stay curious, share ideas and learn from feedback.
To create this kind of environment for yourself and your team:
Be open about your own learning process
Share lessons from your past mistakes
Thank people for their honesty (even when they disagree with you)
Psychological safety allows a growth mindset to take root. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be real. Barb Penney, Career Strategist, Winning Resumes Career Solutions and Career Development Consultant, Mindful HR Services shares:
“Feedback is a learning technique that shines a light on how others see us. It can feel awkward and even risky, but the results can be incredible”. Penney goes on to share “As a career professional, I guide professionals and executives through asking trusted colleagues, leaders, friends, and family to describe client talents, strengths, and defining characteristics. In every case feedback helped job changers stand a little taller, speak a little bolder, and worry less about failure”.
How Mindfulness Helps You Stay Curious
Sometimes, the biggest thing holding you back from learning is your own self-talk.
That’s where mindfulness can help. When you slow down and pay attention to your thoughts and emotions without judging them, you can start to notice unhelpful patterns, such as the fear of making a mistake or the habit of avoiding feedback.
Being mindful gives you a chance to pause and choose how you respond. Instead of reacting quickly or defensively, you can:
Take a breath before answering a tough question and reflect on what’s really being said
Notice your stress - use it as a signal to pause and respond in a way you won’t regret later
Recognize when your inner critic is getting too loud - not everything that we think is true.
This kind of awareness builds emotional strength. It also supports a growth mindset by helping you stay calm and open when things feel uncertain or difficult.
Another way to instill a growth mindset is through mindfulness. You could start meetings with a short pause, take a few minutes to reflect at the end of the day, or ask yourself one simple question: What did I learn today?
Try These 5 Simple Ways to Grow as a Leader
Reverse the roles
Turn check-ins into learning conversations
Share lessons from things that didn’t work
Keep a ‘what I’m learning’ journal
Say “I don’t know” - then go find out
You don’t need a full leadership program to build a growth mindset. Small actions, done consistently, can have a big impact. Here are five ways you can start:
1. Reverse the roles
Find someone with a different perspective - maybe a more junior employee or someone in a different role - and ask them to mentor you. This shows that learning goes both ways, and it helps you stay connected to new ideas or new approaches.
2. Turn check-ins into learning conversations
During one-on-one meetings, reflect on what you’ve learned lately, what feedback you’ve received and what skill you’re working on next. These conversations don’t need to be long, just consistent.
3. Share lessons from things that didn’t work
Make time in team meetings to talk about challenges or setbacks. Share what you tried, what didn’t go as planned and what you took away from it. When you lead by example, others will feel safer doing the same.
4. Keep a ‘what I’m learning’ journal
Set aside five minutes at the end of your day or week to write down one thing you learned - about yourself, your role, or your team. This simple habit helps you track progress, spot patterns and stay connected to your own development. Over time, it becomes a powerful reminder of how much growth can happen through small reflections.
5. Say “I don’t know” - then go find out
Admitting you don’t have all the answers doesn’t make you look weak - it shows you’re open to learning. When you follow that up by taking action to learn more, it builds trust and sets a strong example for your team.
Summary
You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room to be an effective leader. You just need to keep learning. By embracing a growth mindset, building trust with your team and staying aware of your own reactions, you give yourself the tools to grow through uncertainty instead of just surviving it.
Looking to build a culture that encourages learning, reflection and long-term development? Our team can help you create a tailored engagement and leadership strategy that supports meaningful growth.
Enjoyed this article? Don't miss out on valuable HR news from The Mindful HR Blog, our monthly newsletter packed with human resources trends, career development insights and expert workplace wellness tips designed to enhance employee engagement and retention!