Growth Mindset Explained
Growth mindset at it’s core is about believing people can develop their abilities. This concept was introduced by Stanford University psychologist, Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., in 2006. Dr. Dweck’s groundbreaking book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, began to change the ways parents, educators, coaches, and business leaders foster achievement in themselves and others.
To really understand Growth Mindset you have to know the difference between Fixed and Growth mindsets. A fixed mindset is believing that you have a certain intelligence or skill that can’t be changed. Because of this belief people with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges and give up easily. As a coach I have noticed that the #1 problem players face is fear of failure. As a therapist, I have wondered what is it that creates this fear resulting in players not trying.
As a result of studying Mindset, I am starting to understand that players with a fixed mindset view failure as the bottom line. Therefore, players with a fixed mindset that fail are left thinking, “If I fail, I am bad.” Now throw in the developmental stage of life when being embarrassed in front of peers is perceived as more painful than losing an extremity and you can see why some players just won’t try.
On the flip side, Growth Mindset is believing that skills can be developed and improved. Players with a Growth Mindset embrace challenges as a means to improvement. As a result, these players also demonstrate resilience and are able to persist when they face of adversity. They are able to receive feedback and do not become defensive with criticism. As a coach, I want a whole team of players with a Growth Mindset. If only it was that easy! Many players will come to us with a fixed mindset. What can coaches do to transition them to a Growth Mindset?
Growth Mindset In Coaching
First and foremost, as coaches, we must take a hard, honest look at ourselves and evaluate our current mindset. Studying coaches with a Growth Mindset is a great place to start.
“Focus everyday on growth, not deterred by challenges, not overwhelmed by achievements, just moving on to the next day.”
-Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens, who some might argue is currently the best coach in the NBA, is a supporter of Growth Mindset. Coach Stevens sets a culture with his teams that focuses on the process of growth and making the goal everyday to get better. In addition, he recommends not getting consumed with the results and not being afraid of failure. Coach Stevens explains further that if you can attack each day with the idea that you’re going to learn and grow, you have a good chance of succeeding.
Coaches need to be honest with themselves about how they respond to players’ mistakes. Do you provide low stakes opportunities where players can fail and learn from their mistakes? Or, do you implement a punishment after every mistake? If players become afraid to make mistakes they will stop taking risks and will not improve at a desired rate.
Ideas For Encouraging a Growth Mindset In Players
- Praise effort over results.
- Applaud mistakes and use them as opportunities to teach during low stakes times, such as practice.
- Teach them that our brains are built to adapt (i.e. neuroplasticity). With repetition our brains change and our skills improves.
- Give examples and quotes of well known players who got better with effort.
- Highlight players on your team who put forth their best effort.
- Lead by example. Share your mistakes and what you learned.
- Give opportunities for the team to “figure it out” together. Don’t give them all the answers.
- Watch film and include players in discussion of what went well and ideas for where they can improve.
- Use the terminology to point out when they are displaying a fixed mindset behavior and a growth mindset behavior.
- Teach them how to give peer feedback respectfully.
- Emphasize the process. Just because they can’t do something now, doesn’t mean they never will, it just means not YET!!
