Mindset – Changing The Way You think To Fulfill Your Potential by Carol Dweck. Carol is Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Her study of human motivation is researching why people succeed or do not, and how individuals can understand how to foster success.
Hence Carol’s popular research regards two mindsets, and the difference they make in outcomes is incredibly powerful. In addition, by learning where an individual’s view on ability are sourced, you can change their reaction to failure.
Her growth versus fixed mindset is the core of the book and has won her much acclaim. For this reason, there is almost no audience that should pass on reading her book.
Accordingly, anyone can appreciate that middle school children can benefit the most and become a sponge for knowledge. Consequently in the age of COVID, resilience is a key lesson for the need for a growth mindset in an almost daily changing environment.
Dweck’s research reveals why one’s raw talent and abilities do not define success, however approaching them with a growth mindset will prove success in the long run. This is also effective for any parent’s goals, personal or professional.
Carol reveals what great parents, teachers, CEOs, and athletes already know: how a simple idea about the brain can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area.
Mindset and School Achievement
Many will learn in chapter three why simply praising your child’s raw talent and abilities does not lead to self confidence and may actually jeopardize their success.
Sports: The Mindset of a Champion
Carol references Michael Lewis’ Moneyball, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth and Jackie Joyner-Kersee as sources for holding the correct mindset in order to achieve great, sustained success on the athletic field.
Business: Mindset and Leadership
Chapter five examines the fixed mindset of Lee Iacocca that sunk Chrysler short after arriving from Ford. And Carol is able to further reveal company success stories to be fabrications. The Growth mindsets for Louis Gerstner saving IBM and Anne Mulcahy also saving Xerox provide true leadership while Iacocca revealed his fixed mindset actually helped sink Chrysler.
Sources of inspiration
Chapter 7 – Parents, Teachers, and Coaches: Where do Mindsets Come From? In short, messaging plays a large part in your child’s growth mindset. Reassuring children, based upon constructive criticism is vital when parent, teachers and coaches are sending those messages. This is a great chapter to understand how different role models help drive (or delay) the growth mindset when away from home.
In conclusion, Mindset is a source of inspiration. Carol has revealed great insights that benefit us all in striving to be better at home, at work and at play.
TED | The power of believing that you can improve
Talks at Google | The Growth Mindset
Happy & Well | Mindset – the new psychology of success
Stanford | Teaching a Growth Mindset