Have you always had the skills to succeed in your career? For most people this is not true. It’s much more likely that you have grown and adapted your skills as you advanced and progressed.
Along with technical and specific skills, a growth mindset is important to the well-being and success of executives. A growth mindset is characterized by the belief that skills and abilities can be learned through effort and perseverance. This mindset encourages individuals to embrace challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, and see failures as opportunities for growth. On the other hand, someone with a fixed mindset believes that skills and abilities are fixed traits that cannot be significantly improved. Those with a fixed mindset may avoid challenges, give up easily, and view failures as indications of their inherent limitations.
For example, a new project at your company requires a mastery of a new software. Someone with a fixed mindset may feel that they would not be able to complete the project. However, someone with a growth mindset realizes that although they are not currently familiar with the software, they will be able to learn in order to complete the project. A growth mindset is critical to overcoming challenges in the workplace.
As women of color executives move up the corporate ladder, they may face conflict regarding growth versus fixed mindset in pursuit of a leadership role within her organization.
In this scenario, the executive with a growth mindset believes that her skills, experiences, and potential for growth make her well-suited for a leadership position. She may actively seek out opportunities to develop her leadership abilities, such as attending workshops, taking on challenging projects, or seeking mentorship from senior leaders.
Unfortunately, she may encounter a fixed mindset among some of her colleagues or superiors. They may hold biases and stereotypes about women of color in leadership roles, perceiving them as lacking the necessary skills or qualifications. This fixed mindset can manifest in subtle or overt ways, such as being overlooked for promotions or not being given the same level of support and development opportunities as their counterparts.
As a result, the conflict arises between the woman's growth mindset and her environment's fixed mindset. She may face challenges in gaining recognition for her achievements, navigating implicit biases, and breaking through the glass ceiling. This conflict can be demoralizing and disheartening, leading her to question her abilities and potential for advancement.
If you find yourself in this situation, you may need to actively challenge the fixed mindset within your organization. You can seek out allies and advocates who recognize your capabilities and support your growth. Additionally, you can leverage your network and seek external opportunities to gain leadership experience and build your credibility.
By persisting with your growth mindset and actively working to overcome the fixed mindset around you, you can create pathways for your own success and inspire positive change within your organization. Your determination, resilience, and commitment to growth can serve as a powerful example for others, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of diverse leaders.
If you are ready to overcome these challenges and embrace this transformative shift in mindset, book a strategy call with your mentor and coach, Veena https://calendly.com/beyoutifullyempowercoaching/1-1-discovery-call