Chapter 5: Business: Mindset and Leadership
Comment on the following:Do you think leaders are born not made, as in "a born leader"? Why?
Do you have a co-worker who has a fixed mindset? How does it show itself? What are some steps you could take to teach him or her growth mindset?
Comment on each other posts offering suggestions in dealing with a fixed mindset coworker.
The idea of a “born leader” in many ways could represent a fixed mindset. If this is perceived as the only way great leaders develop, that leadership is innate and cannot be learned, then it closes the door to personal growth, education and improvement. It is what it is and there is nothing that can be done about it. This ignores the reality that through experiences and study that people can learn and grow. When I think about leaders in the field of education I think about those that are open to improvement through change and growth.
ReplyDeleteWithout mentioning specific names, I think that we all have colleagues that have fixed mindsets. In education we can easily become comfortable in our methods and practices. It's easy to believe that many of the new initiatives (Common Core) are just the latest flavor of the month. This too shall pass. It’s all political, a way for politicians to place blame or say they tried to do something. If we look at the initiatives with a growth mindset it is possible to separate the good from the bad. Whereas I believe that the implementation of the common core has been a rushed disaster, and that test scores weigh far too heavily in teacher evaluations, there is also a lot of good. A growth mindset does not throw the baby out with the bathwater. The difficult part is opening ourselves to the change, opening ourselves to the innovation, and not getting caught up in defending the way we used to do it.
I think that the best way to help colleagues stuck in a fixed mindset is to provide evidence of the benefits of change (why are we doing this?), training /professional development (how are we going to do this?), and time (when are we going to do this?).
Great ideas Mike! I often wonder if they even know they have a fixed mindset and are just who they are and except it. Maybe reading this book would help :-)
DeleteI do not believe that there are born leaders. I believe that somewhere along their journey- Leaders had some kind of direction/inspiration/training that contribute to the goal. The direction/inspiration/teaching could have been- positive and/or negative- but it helped shape thinking in growth mentality (I want to be just like that, or I want to be nothing like that). Many times, leaders have experienced very difficult circumstances or conditions and they were able to overcome.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike that we all know colleagues who may slip into fixed mindsets at different points. You may realize that when speaking with this person, there is no acceptable solution to a problem, because it is someone else's fault. I also feel like it can be very easy to get stuck into a rut of complaining about a situation, placing blame elsewhere and in a way- shutting down. Staying positive, not engaging in circular conversations, directing conversations towards working towards making something better, and speaking in a way that demonstrates growth mindset can all be helpful in dealing with fixed mindset individuals. Sometimes I have to remind myself of the very same things. It's easy to get frustrated, but recognizing it when it happens and implementing different thoughts- that is a good place to start.
Claire, I really like what you said about inspiration being either positive or negative. It's so true. That motivation to NOT be like a particular person can be equally, and sometimes more powerful.
DeleteI agree Claire! It is very easy to find yourself in circular conversations and also placing blame on others. I think as teachers we aim to please and when something doesn't go as planned it is very easy to get stuck in a rut and place blame
DeleteI find it to be a hard question to answer whether there are born leaders or not. Your answer is a solid example! On the other side i think of a born leader could be a child born into a family who puts them on track to be a leader and has that roadmap laid. I wonder if that could be considered a born leader... Just an idea
DeleteI think leaders are most definitely made not born. Yes there are some kids that seem to take on that natural leadership even as little kids but it takes more than that to assume they are born leaders. I see the kids that are leaders young have parents that encourage them to explore, learn, and grow. Students that take on leadership roles have parents and teachers that encourage all of the talents and intellect of a leader. And leaders later on in life have family, teachers, mentors, friends and even strangers giving them their confidence and allowing for those qualities in a leader to emerge and mold. Anyone with the right attitude and surroundings can be a leader. We all know people are easily built up or put down from the comments of Chapter 3
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of teachers with fixed mindsets.. Of course they have growth in other areas but I tend to hear "You can tell what a students grades and success will be Septeber 15th just by knowing them for a couple of weeks. If they opened up the grade books for quarters 1 - 4 now I could fill them in and they would be roughly around what they really would have earned throughout the year."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike and Claire that "born leaders" represents a fixed mindset. As educators, we have to believe that anyone can become a leader in their respective fields of expertise with the right tools and guidance. Many people emerge leaders due to the circumstances around them - they want to excel.
ReplyDeleteOf course, we all know fixed mindset coworkers. or those who seem to never try to find solutions, just complaints. I think to help this situation we can offer positive suggestions as to how they can envision their problems in a new way. I like how Claire said it's easy to get frustrated, but when you realize it happens, try to implement different thoughts. That's a great starting point for getting out of a fixed mindset!
I think leaders can be made but you need to have some specific personality characteristics to be a good leader. If you are not an approachable person then your leadership skills/style really doesn't matter. A good leader needs to have a growth mindset. A good leader is only as good as his/her employees and needs to realize that.
ReplyDeleteAs other people have commented, we all work with people with a fixed mindset. Sometimes I have a fixed mindset because I get so discouraged. When I feel this way I look at all the positives in teaching and why I come to work every day. Bottom line- it's the kids are why we do our job. Also just having students acknowledge that they appreciate what you do makes a big difference. There is something positive in every student. Sometimes we just have to dig a little deeper to find it or offer that encouragement that makes them shine! That smile can make our growth mindset blossom and make the negativity go away.
Love this Maureen I couldnt agree more! Just because you are in a leadership role does not be you are a leader or born to be a leader!
DeleteI think this is an important point. We all have "fixed mindset" days. Remembering what is most important and why we got into this field-the kids-can help to bring perspective back.
DeleteI agree! One does need certain characteristics in order to be a great leader. I also agree with the discouraging part. If I am discouraged it is hard to snap out of it and adapt the growth mindset. Trina
DeleteI completely agree on the fixed mindset and getting discouraged. Sometimes we need to take that one moment; a smile, a little note, or a statement like, "I love this class" or book or... and hold onto it. This IS why we became teachers. It IS all about the kids! It definitely helps make the "negative go away".
DeleteI do not believe there are born leaders. To believe that there is would mean I have a fixed mindset. I do believe however that we all have predisposed traits that will help shape us over time. As children we are sponges we pick up so much from our peers and family. For example, in my family we were taught at a young age that if you want something bad enough you go after it. If you fall down, you get up, brush off and continue trucking. My parents were very strict and we did "workbook nights" where we did nothing but worksheets after dinner for "fun" but we were above average by the time we entered kindergarten lol. I am sharing this example because I feel as educators it's important to really know your students and their background. Some kids are left to fend for themselves and have no one at home checking on them or praising them. Others are strict and have parents that look at anything under a perfect score is failure. It's these type of events that I think can make or break you. It gives you a drive to either push forward regardless of what may stand in your way or be on the other end of the spectrum and sit in the corner.
ReplyDeleteI have to say after reading this book I have never noticed how many coworkers I have had that would fall under a "fixed mindset" they are set in their ways and no one is going to try to pursuade them into teaching a lesson a new way when the current lesson has worked for years! Or just slamming an idea because they know nothing about it and they do not want to do the research. I would try to encourage my
Coworkers to explore every avenue when it comes to teaching their students. Some ideas May now work for certain students but at the same time it could open the door to new opportunities for learning to diverse learners
Yes Shannon! This is how i feel also, environmental factors play a strong role in what some one becomes! Thanks for bringing this up!
DeleteYes Shannon! This is how i feel also, environmental factors play a strong role in what some one becomes! Thanks for bringing this up!
DeleteAs other have said, I also believe that the idea of a "born leader" is a fixed mindset concept. A good leader evolves through experiences, circumstances and opportunities. For example, teachers and parents (among others) can foster character traits and leadership skills in children that will grow to become good leaders.
ReplyDeleteOne example of a coworker who has a fixed mindset is the colleague who never takes responsibility for their circumstances. When this arises, I try to help the coworker to focus on the things that can be changed about the situation and help to offer solutions, rather than dwell on the things that are beyond our control.
believe that there are not natural born leaders. I believe that it is an expression used to describe individuals who are excellent leaders who have honed their skills probably because of a growth mindset that has allowed them over the years to learn from others and row into a leader who has made a positive difference.
ReplyDeleteI have worked with many individuals over the years who have a fixed mindset. I think that one of the biggest obstacles to overcome is trying to adjust their thoughts on change. That is what they have the hardest time with. They become so used to their job being the same over a long period of time they can’t think outside the box to implement a change that will better either the kids or other professionals. The best way I think to deal with this is to be patient and to help them realize how the change will help them and better the program. It’s hard but in order to move forward it is necessary. Trina DiVincenzo
I definitely think leaders are born! Sometimes the best leaders are those that are “thrown” into it. If they had their choice it would not be a role they would seek on their own. They rise to the occasion humbly. A leader to me is someone who can see all sides of something, and be a part of the decision making. Using words like “us” or “we” shows they want to truly collaborate. These are the leaders who get results and people want to work for them!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I work with someone who I would also call my friend, but she has an extreme fixed mindset. She is very negative and sees obstacles as if it’s the end of the world. She always has a “look” on her face that shows exactly what she’s thinking, which is not good for our students and it does not make her look good to her colleagues. I have actually been trying to help her see things in a different light. I often say, “I’m just playing devil’s advocate here but….” to show her another way to look at things. She’s pretty quick to judge but doesn’t always admit her own flaws (for lack of a better word). I will joke that we can just look at “this” as another challenge and learn from it, “that way we won’t make that mistake again”. She’s started to say things like, “I know I’m being a b*&^% but I can’t help it.” So at least I know I’ve made her more aware.
I support the idea that leaders are made, not born, and that leadership development follows a specific progression. From a scientific standpoint, research suggests that leadership is 30 percent genetic and 70 percent a result of lessons learned through life experiences. Three important components of leadership: self-efficacy, or confidence in the ability to lead; skills; and motivation to lead. You must be being ready, willing, and able. Students first become ready to learn about being a leader; then they become willing to learn the skills necessary to practice leadership; and finally they're able to lead because they have the skills and the motivation to do it. I now realize that many people that I deal with that have fixed mindsets may be at different points in their career. This may be some of the problem we see in education. More “experienced” teachers are set in their ways and don’t change with the times. They have a situation, but no solution, and everyone knows it. Looking at making the situation and giving them support of having a growth mindset will better help these colleagues look to the future, rather than the past.
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