In his article for WRAL TechWire, Donald Thompson emphasizes the necessity for leaders to adopt a growth mindset in the face of an ever-changing business environment to maintain competitiveness in the coming year. He argues that while navigating the complexities of leadership, asking reflective questions and fostering a culture of curiosity is crucial for organizational success. Thompson notes that admitting gaps in one's knowledge can be challenging for high-achieving leaders, yet embracing vulnerability is key to harnessing collective team strengths. He provides five actionable strategies to cultivate a growth mindset among leaders and their teams, such as building a feedback culture, fostering psychological safety, and encouraging expansive thinking through brainstorming.

Key Points:

• The growth mindset is essential for leaders to adapt and stay competitive in changing business environments.
• Asking questions like “What’s working?” and “What’s next?” fosters a culture of curiosity.
• High-achieving leaders often struggle with acknowledging their knowledge gaps, which is crucial for growth.
• Balancing confidence with humility can enhance team collaboration and innovation.
• Five tips to cultivate a growth mindset include:
  • Building a feedback culture to view critiques as learning opportunities.
  • Asking probing questions to challenge comfort zones.
  • Creating a psychologically safe environment for idea sharing.
  • Assigning outside reading to inspire new perspectives.
  • Establishing brainstorming protocols to encourage expansive thinking.
• A growth mindset can provide a competitive advantage through adaptability and leveraging diverse team strengths.
  Link to Article