Key Steps to unlocking your mind and potential
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned in over two decades of leadership development is this: mindset shapes everything. It shapes how you lead. How you respond to setbacks. How you show up in relationships. And ultimately, how much of your – and other’s – potential you truly unlock.
I’ve seen brilliant leaders held back by one thing — not skill, not strategy — but a fixed mindset. And I’ve seen others, perhaps less naturally gifted, thrive because they embraced a growth mindset. So, what’s the difference?
Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset
“Becoming is better than being.” – Carol Dweck
Dr Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, might not have discovered the importance of mindset but she did coin “fixed vv. Growth mindset” and her research significantly highlighted just how much the way we think about our abilities profoundly impacts our success.
Fixed mindset believes talent and ability is static — you either have it or you don’t.
Growth mindset believes abilities can be developed through effort, learning and perseverance.
It might seem like a subtle shift in thinking, but I promise you — it’s a transformational one.
As someone passionate about neuroscience in leadership, I love how science backs this up. Our brains are wired for change. Through neuroplasticity, we can create new connections, build new habits and literally rewire our thinking. When you develop a growth mindset, you’re not just shifting your attitude — you’re literally rewiring and reshaping your brain. Isn’t that extraordinary?
Three reasons growth mindset changes everything
Here’s why cultivating a growth mindset are critical Key Steps for every leader and human being:
- You see challenges as opportunities, not threats.
People with a growth mindset aren’t afraid to try. They lean into discomfort and believe, “I can learn this,” rather than, “I’m not good at this.”
- You value progress over perfection.
Perfectionism often holds people back (and yes, I’ve written about it before and experienced it first-hand!) Growth mindset reminds us that we’re all works in progress. It’s not about getting it right the first time — it’s about learning, adjusting, and evolving.
- You redefine failure.
With a fixed mindset, failure is proof that you’re not good enough. With a growth mindset, failure is feedback — it’s data, not drama. It’s a stepping stone, not a stop sign.
Key Steps to Cultivating a Growth Mindset
If you want to unlock your full potential — and help your team or children do the same — start here:
- Embrace the power of “yet.” If you catch yourself saying “I can’t do this,” add a powerful word: “yet.”
- “I can’t lead this team… yet.”
- “I’m not confident in public speaking… yet.”
- It opens the door to growth instead of closing it with judgement.
- Reframe mistakes as learning moments. Ask yourself, “What is this teaching me?” Every misstep contains wisdom — if we’re willing to look.
- Praise effort, not just outcomes. As Dweck teaches, it’s vital to reward the process — the trying, the thinking, the stretching — not just the end result. This builds resilience and grit.
So, let me ask you… Are you growing or protecting? Are you learning or limiting? Are you expanding into your potential, or holding yourself hostage with old beliefs?
The beautiful truth is: You can choose your mindset. Every single day.
When you take Key Steps today, let them be embracing the power of growth mindset so you can…
‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
