Fostering learning and growth has been a lifelong commitment for me. A growth mindset has guided me throughout my personal and professional life, shaping my original path as an educator and trainer through my current Director of People Success role. I enjoy this role deeply because I get to create inclusive, dynamic workplaces where professionals can thrive. Whether developing soft skills, expanding education and leadership capabilities, or preparing to tackle new challenges, I accept that I may not know everything I need to. I also believe in my ability to adapt and improve. My expectation of excellence does not change.
While commuting, I frequently enjoy a good podcast. One of my recent favorites is Huberman Lab, hosted by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a professor at the Stanford School of Medicine. His work is dedicated to making scientific information accessible to everyone at no cost. Dr. Huberman has produced several valuable episodes on different facets & applications of the growth mindset. I encourage everyone to check them out!
What it Means to Have a Growth Mindset
We are dynamic beings. American psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck originally introduced the concept of growth mindset in her 2006 book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Dweck’s findings about the human psyche led her to theorize that people have one of two types of mindsets about success. People with a fixed mindset believe their ability to learn, grow, and succeed is innate. They were born with finite intelligence and ability; improvement is impossible.
Alternatively, people with a growth mindset believe their abilities, intelligence, and success are determined by their efforts and willingness to embrace change. Their skills and potential evolve with the right attitude, conditions, and support.
Better Than Yesterday
At Red Dog Media, a growth mindset is central to our core value of “Being Better Than Yesterday. “
This value means recognizing and addressing our shortcomings and continually seeking improvement, even in areas where we excel. A growth mindset comes with humility, openness to feedback (think Radical Candor), and understanding that there is always room for improvement. This drive for progress stems from a desire to grow personally and professionally, work more effectively, and achieve peak performance.
Growth Mindset and the Power of “Yet”
A growth mindset often develops incrementally—no drastic shift is required. It’s easy to fall into a fixed mindset when faced with a challenge or feeling overwhelmed. Periods of growth and change don’t just happen; they must be managed.
One powerful growth management technique is to change our inner narrative. Doing so can transform our perspective, making change feel more manageable. It can start with something as simple as adding “yet” to our inner narrative statements:
“I haven’t reached their level YET.
I haven’t improved my scores YET.
I can’t do it YET.
I haven’t learned that YET.”
These statements are valid reflections of our current state, and by adding “yet,” we introduce the idea of progress. It shifts the mindset from feeling stuck to recognizing that we’re on a journey and moving towards our goals. We’re committing to continual growth and improvement, no matter how small the steps may be.
Cultivating a growth mindset isn’t about achieving perfection overnight; it is about embracing the opportunities that change brings. By adopting the “yet” mentality, we can transform our challenges into a scaffolding for growth. We will all experience difficulties sometimes, and we must persist, believing that progress is always possible.
Closing Thoughts
Embracing a growth mindset equips us to navigate personal and professional challenges with resilience and optimism. As we strive to be better than yesterday, let’s remember that every step, no matter how small, brings us closer to realizing our potential. By embracing the journey with patience and positivity, we reinforce the idea that with each “yet,” we are moving toward our goals and becoming the best versions of ourselves. By fostering a culture of growth, we can create an environment where everyone thrives. If this sounds good to you, check us out! We’re hiring!