A growth mindset is the belief that we can always learn, grow and better ourselves. It’s about believing that we can do and achieve more – and that human capability is not fixed. Companies from Microsoft to Google have credited this culture and mentality as being key to their success.
At Milk & Honey we specialise in working with ambitious growth companies, so I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by people who live by this mantra on a daily basis. Working directly into CEOs who see no limits.
We’re also a fast-growing company in our own right. We started out two and a half years ago and already 15 people strong. So, with the benefit of working around so many passionate and driven individuals, here’s my take on some different ways to adopt a growth mindset:
Don’t be afraid to fail
Not everything is always going to go to plan. We don’t win every pitch and sometimes a story doesn’t land the way we had hoped. The important part is to talk about our failures and learn from them. If we always stayed in a safe zone, we’d never achieve anything amazing. My advice would be to always work in an environment where you’re encouraged to experiment and push boundaries without (too much) fear.
Never settle
Life is all about finding things you’re passionate about and going all in. If you don’t feel like you’re going to achieve incredible things, ask yourself why not? Look for somewhere or something that gives you that passion and energy. Don’t sit still for too long. This doesn’t just mean going out and finding a new job. It could be starting out on your own or taking the initiative to go out and win the clients you really want to work on.
Learn from everyone around you
Training doesn’t always have to be external, and it doesn’t always have to be led by the most experienced team member. Our team is made up of very different backgrounds and experiences, so it’s important that we take the time to learn from one another. We host monthly internal team meetings and, at the end of each presentation, a team member trains the rest on a specific topic, software, or provides an update on industry news. It’s a collaborative effort with no limits!
Be more self-aware
We’re not all going to be the very best at everything – and that’s OK. That’s why we have a team around us. We need to recognise our strengths and weaknesses and who will be the best person for each job. But the difference is that those who have a growth mindset will not just accept their weaknesses. They will strive to be better. Always surround yourself with people who will challenge you and give their honest feedback to help you improve.
For me, the best things in life happen when I step outside my comfort zone. When I put myself out there and make things happen. It’s not always an easy ride – and there are plenty of knock backs along the way – but a growth mindset keeps things moving in the right direction.
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