Image: Mindset by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 10 out of 10. An excellent, inspiring book on developing a growth outlook and approach to life and relationships.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD, author of unJoy / 9.1.2021; No. 46
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Star Rating – 10 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Author
Carol Dweck
About the author
Carol Dweck, PhD, is a psychologist and researcher of social, personality and developmental psychology. She is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University.
General description
Mindset explores the concept of a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset regarding success and personal fulfillment. Dr. Dweck looks at this construct from different vantage points, including business, school, parenting and other relationships. She has found that people with a fixed mindset do not thrive as much as those with a growth mindset and provides examples of how to change from a fixed to a growth mindset, which she refers to as “The Journey.” Topics covered in this book include:
Constructs of fixed vs. growth mindsets
Problems that come with having natural talent
Implications for relationships, work environments and education
Risks with praise and labels
Toxicity of “star” leaders and CEOs
Unique and most important aspects
Mindset is a fascinating and popular book that looks at developing habits and thinking patterns that promote success. Critics of Dr. Dweck note that they have not been able to replicate her research in educational studies, however, I think Dr. Dweck has done an excellent job describing how some people can either feel afraid to try and fail or empowered to try, fail and try again. Mindset is one way of looking at this aspect of human nature and it is a very encouraging viewpoint. This book includes aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy for developing a growth mindset and goes far beyond “fail fast” strategies. Important concepts from Mindset include:
How to gain greater insight through a growth mindset
That a person can have a fixed mindset in one area and a growth mindset in another
Taking on a growth mindset is a constant process, not an event
There are false growth mindsets that are ineffective and likely detrimental
Organizations limited by a fixed mindset can benefit from nurturing and promoting a growth mindset
Best quotes
“In fact, studies show that people are terrible at estimating their abilities. Recently, we set out to see who is most likely to do this. Sure, we found that people greatly misestimated their performances and their ability. But it was those with the fixed mindset who accounted for almost all the inaccuracy. The people with the growth mindset were amazingly accurate.”
“One day, we were introducing the growth mindset to a new group of students. All at once Jimmy – the most hard-core turned-off low-effort kid in the group – looked up with tears in his eyes and said, ‘You mean I don’t have to be dumb?’ From that day on, he worked. He started staying up late to do his homework, which he never used to bother with at all. He started handing in assignments early so he could get feedback and revise them. He now believed that working hard was not something that made you vulnerable, but something that made you smarter.”
“What we found was fascinating. People who work in growth-mindset organizations have far more trust in their company and a much greater sense of empowerment, ownership, and commitment.”
“In my work, I have seen tough guys shed tears when they realize they can become smarter. It’s common for students to turn off to school and adopt an air of indifference, but we make a mistake if we think any student stops caring.”
“But there’s a difference between being flexible or open-minded and being dedicated to growing talent.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers who are looking for a liberating and inspiring book on personal and professional growth and success would likely enjoy Mindset.
Who would not enjoy this book?
Readers who are looking for strategies that guarantee success or who would be bothered by the author’s criticism of failed CEOs are unlikely to enjoy Mindset.
Conclusion
Mindset is an excellent, inspiring book on developing a growth outlook and approach to life and relationships.