The primary difference between the two mindsets is the belief in the permanence of intelligence and capacity; one considers it to be very stable, with little or no space for either path to change, while the other considers it to be more changeable, with opportunities for progress (or regression, for that matter).
Some of the key differences between fixed mindset vs growth mindset are:
Fixed Mindset Is Limiting
Talents, abilities, and intelligence is fixed, it's who we are
Run from error, do not engage with it with a desire to look smart
Avoid challenges
Give up easily
Feel threatened by the success of others
Ignore negative feedback even though it may be highly relevant and useful
Avoid new experiences with fear of failure
Look for people who can reinforce their self-esteem
Focus on the outcome since they consider results as their identity
Can lead to cheating and deception
Growth Mindset Is Freedom
Talents, abilities, and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice
Engage deeply and process the error with a desire to correct the error
Embrace challenges
Persevere in the face of failures and setbacks
Find inspiration in others success
Accept criticism as a way to learn
Embrace novelty with a desire to master new skills
Look for people who challenge them to grow
Focus on the process and learning without worrying about the outcome
Leads to collaboration and innovation
In her book Mindset, Carol Dweck beautifully sums up the 2 types of mindsets:
"When you enter a mindset, you enter a new world. In one world, the world of fixed traits-success is about proving you're smart or talented. Validating yourself. In the other, the world of changing qualities-its about stretching yourself to learn something new. Developing yourself. In one world, failure is about having a setback. Getting a bad grade. Losing a tournament. Getting fired. Getting rejected. It means you're not smart or talented. In the other world, failure is about not growing. Not reaching for the things you value. It means you're not fulfilling your potential. In one world, effort is a bad thing. It, like failure, means you're not smart or talented. If you were, you wouldn't need effort. In the other world, effort is what makes you smart or talented. You have a choice. Mindsets are just beliefs. They're powerful beliefs, but they're just something in your mind, and you can change your mind."
A person with a fixed mindset will view new technology as a risk to their current product. They will worry about how it can make their product irrelevant, but at the same time will be scared to try it out. By sticking to existing solutions instead of exploring new ideas, they will set up their company for failure in the long run.
A growth-minded person will embrace new technology as a means to provide better service to their customers. They will carefully evaluate the risks of the new technology and craft a plan to integrate it while learning about its unique challenges along the way. Instead of worrying about failures, they will think of its benefits to keep pushing forward.
While I can give countless examples of fixed mindset and growth mindset as they are a big part of our life, I hope you get the idea to catch your mindset in action.
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