Fostering a Growth Mindset Across the Organization

As a marketing leader, adopting a growth mindset has been transformative—not just for me, but for my entire team and agency. The idea that skills and talents can be developed over time through effort, learning, and resilience is central to how I approach leadership. Here’s how I’ve cultivated this mindset and how it’s helped us evolve: In the fast-paced world of marketing, challenges are inevitable. Rather than avoiding them, I’ve learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether it’s tackling a new digital trend or addressing a client’s evolving needs, I remind my team (and myself) that each challenge brings a chance to learn and improve. Stanford research on growth mindset shows that individuals who see challenges as growth opportunities are more persistent and perform better in the long run. Marketing is constantly changing, with new tools, platforms, and trends emerging regularly. I foster a culture where continuous learning is prioritized.  From attending webinars to taking online courses, I encourage my team to stay curious and constantly improve their skills. A LinkedIn Learning study found that teams who prioritize learning are 24% more likely to reach their goals. It’s easy to get caught up in metrics and results, especially in marketing. However, I’ve found that focusing solely on outcomes can create unnecessary pressure. Instead, I emphasize the importance of effort and progress. Celebrating small wins and recognizing hard work has kept my team motivated, even when results aren’t immediate. Feedback is crucial for growth, but how it’s delivered and received matters. I’ve shifted from giving feedback as a form of correction to making it a tool for learning. By framing feedback as a way to improve and grow, I’ve seen my team become more receptive and less defensive. Harvard Business Review research shows that leaders who provide constructive feedback foster a growth mindset in their teams. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that a growth mindset has to start with leadership. By embracing my own learning journey—whether that means admitting when I don’t know something or being open to new ideas—I’ve created an environment where growth is the norm. In cultivating a growth mindset, I’ve not only seen my team become more resilient and innovative, but I’ve also experienced the agency’s growth as a natural byproduct. The focus has shifted from perfection to progress, and it’s made all the difference in how we approach every new project and challenge. #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #MarketingLeadership #ContinuousLearning #Resilience #ConstructiveFeedback #EffortMatters #TeamMotivation #Innovation #BusinessGrowth

The 6 most dangerous words in business (and how to overcome them): "That's how we've always done it." It's an attitude that's shockingly common, But that CAN be defeated. This mindset often comes from an innocent place: ↳Comfort - With how things are ↳Stability - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" ↳Pragmatism - Change takes substantial work ↳Fear - How will this impact me? ↳Efficiency - We've refined a ton to get here: don't muck it up But the reality is: ↳Customers and their preferences are always changing ↳Competitors are always changing ↳Macro forces are always changing So organizations need to always be changing - or they'll lose. The good news: even if your organization is stuck on "that's how we've always done it" - You can overcome it. Here's how: Seek Frontline Feedback ↳Offer multiple channels for employees to give ideas and feedback ↳Explicitly ask for them often - and thank people publicly when they contribute Empower New People ↳Remember that new employees have the freshest perspective and least inertia ↳Tell them this, while asking and empowering them to speak up with ideas or concerns Reward Successful Ideas ↳When someone gives an idea that's implemented, tangibly reward them (bonus, time off, etc.) ↳Celebrate them publicly so others are encouraged to do the same Make Change Cultural ↳Make continuous improvement and growth mindset part of your mission, and emphasize them frequently ↳Put adaptability and risk-taking on your performance evaluations Promote Learning ↳Give employees time to attend conferences, workshops, and trainings that will generate new ideas ↳Invite them to share key takeaways afterward Block Time To Brainstorm ↳Ensure leaders dedicate protected time to evaluate existing processes and plan improvements ↳If this can't happen day-to-day, block time for offsite retreats Highlight Change Successes ↳Tell stories of changes the organization (and other orgs) has gone through before ↳Ensure all employees see the line from changes made to improvements in their job Celebrate Risk Taking ↳Highlight big risks that paid off, emphasizing that the success wouldn't have otherwise happened ↳Ensure risks that fail are treated as learning opportunities, not punished Conduct After Action Reviews ↳After big projects, gather everyone involved for an after action review ↳Talk about what to improve upon - even when things went well Start With Small Wins ↳Seeing is believing, so start small with trials and pilots to get results ↳Let those who participated become your frontline advocates Listen ↳Ask questions to understand what's behind any resistance to change ↳Tailor change efforts and communication based on what you learn Ensure Changes Succeed ↳Resistance to change builds when changes fail, so work overtime to ensure they do not ↳Use strong change management practices: planning, creating buy-in, communicating, reviewing --- ♻ Repost to help your network overcome this mindset. And follow me George Stern for more.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 📚🚀 Are your employees still viewing learning as a one-time event rather than an ongoing journey? This common mindset can significantly hinder your organization’s ability to innovate and adapt to new challenges. When learning stops, growth stagnates, and your team may find it difficult to keep pace with industry advancements and emerging trends. Here’s how to transform that mindset and cultivate a thriving culture of continuous learning in your organization: 📌 Promote Ongoing Education: Foster an environment where learning is encouraged and valued. Make it clear that growth doesn’t end after initial training but continues throughout an employee's career. Share success stories where continuous learning has led to significant achievements within the organization. 📌 Provide Learning Resources: Give your team access to a variety of learning resources, such as online courses, workshops, webinars, and reading materials. Invest in creating trainings tailored to individual career paths and development needs of your employees. Encourage employees to take advantage of these resources and integrate them into their daily routines. 📌 Recognize Continuous Learning Efforts: Celebrate learning achievements to reinforce the importance of continuous education. Recognize employees who actively pursue learning opportunities, whether through internal communications, awards, or incentives. This not only motivates the individual but also sets a positive example for others. 📌 Embed Learning into Daily Processes: Make learning a natural part of the workday. Encourage team members to share knowledge during meetings, collaborate on problem-solving, and participate in peer learning sessions. A culture of continuous learning thrives when it’s seamlessly integrated into everyday activities. 📌 Foster An Open Feedback Culture: Create an environment where feedback is constructive and encouraged. Regularly solicit feedback on learning initiatives to continuously improve them. Ensure that employees feel comfortable sharing their learning needs and suggestions for new resources or methods. Adopting these strategies will help shift the perception of learning from a one-time event to a continuous journey. This cultural shift is crucial for fostering innovation, resilience, and adaptability within your organization. How does your organization promote continuous learning? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below! ⬇️ #ContinuousLearning #LearningAndDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #CorporateTraining #Innovation #WorkplaceCulture

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 Working with great leaders for 30 years, I studied what made them different. I continuously asked: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭? The chief element was always that they achieved outcomes--the results needed for the organization. That led me to the second and third questions: 2. What did they do? And 3. How did they do it? The answer to the first question was tangible. It was easy to spot--these leaders achieved their targets. The answers to the second and third questions were not as identifiable as the first answer. But here is what I discovered. They cultivated a growth mindset in themselves and their people through the following five steps: 1️⃣ Leaders with a growth mindset believe their team's skills and abilities can be developed through stretch assignments and hard work. This attitude promotes a continuous learning and improvement culture, essential for innovation and adaptation in today's fast-paced world. 2️⃣ Leaders who embrace a growth mindset are more likely to persist in the face of challenges and setbacks. They see failures as opportunities to learn and grow, which can inspire their teams to adopt a similar resilient approach, fostering a culture of perseverance. 3️⃣ Growth-minded leaders focus on the development of their team members. They empower people by recognizing their potential and encouraging them to take on new challenges. They give people the autonomy and resources to be successful. 4️⃣ Leaders with a growth mindset tend to be more empathetic and supportive, understanding that everyone can grow and improve. This approach helps build trust and stronger relationships within the team, which is crucial for effective leadership. 5️⃣ A growth mindset leader encourages experimentation and taking calculated risks, both essential for innovation. Leaders who foster this mindset are more likely to support creative ideas and initiatives, driving their organizations toward innovative solutions and advancements. You will achieve outstanding results by cultivating these five steps in yourself and your team. Gook luck! Your partner in success, Joe Murphy ♻️ Cool to forward to your network ________________ THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒔 Over 600 worldwide sessions | Over 45,000 attendees | 4.9/5 Sat Score _________________ 📽 New videos daily, Mon-Fri at 5 PM ET, on success and leadership 🔔 Join over 40,000 over-achievers today #LeadersatAllLevels #Xfactor #TheLeadershipAcademy