25/05/2025
Building Resilience - A Growth Mindset
We all face challenges that stretch us, wear us down, or make us question our ability to cope. In those moments, what makes one person bounce back while another struggles to recover? A growing body of research suggests the answer often lies in mindset—specifically, a growth mindset. A growth suggests that talents, abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning and persistence—rather than being fixed traits. Research has shown that individuals with a growth mindset embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, see effort as the path to mastery, learn from criticism and find inspiration in the success of others. This contrasts with a "fixed mindset," the belief that qualities are static and unchangeable. This flexible way of thinking fosters both resilience and a stronger sense of personal agency in the face of adversity. Cultivating a growth mindset isn't just about positive thinking; it's a fundamental shift in how we perceive ourselves and our potential.
Five key strategies to help cultivate a growth mindset
1. Embrace the Power of “Yet”
When you catch yourself thinking, “I can’t do this,” try reframing it to, “I can’t do this—yet.” This subtle shift in language acknowledges your current limitations without making them permanent.
Try this: The next time you or your team fall short, add “yet” and ask, “What’s one thing we can try differently next time?”
2. Reframe Failure as Feedback
Resilient individuals don’t see failure as a dead end. Instead, they treat it as a teacher. Studies in educational and organizational psychology show that when people view mistakes as opportunities to learn—rather than proof of inadequacy—they recover more quickly and are more motivated to try again.
Try this: After a setback, lead a “failure debrief.” Ask what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d do differently next time.
3. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Outcomes
Praising effort reinforces the belief that growth is possible. When we focus on how hard someone worked, rather than how smart or talented they are, we nurture persistence and grit—two essential traits of resilience. Focus on the process of learning and improvement, recognizing that consistent effort, even in the face of setbacks, is what leads to meaningful growth.
Try this: When giving feedback, focus on the process: “You really stuck with that problem, and your strategy paid off."
4. Seek Out Challenges
Shying away from difficult tasks might feel safe, but it doesn’t lead to growth. Choosing to tackle challenges—even at the risk of failure— builds cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills, which are crucial components of resilience. Instead of feeling threatened by a tough situation, try reframing it as an exciting opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
Try this: Set personal or team “stretch goals” that push you outside your comfort zone, then reflect on what you learned through the process.
5. Build a Resilient Self-Narrative
Your inner dialogue shapes how you respond to adversity. Growth-minded individuals tend to narrate their experiences through a lens of learning, not defeat. Research in narrative psychology suggests that framing your story with themes of growth and agency increases psychological resilience.
Try this: Journal about a recent struggle. Instead of focusing on the loss or failure, write about what you learned, how you changed and what strengths you uncovered.
