At this year’s SPDS conference, I had the privilege of leading a breakout session on improving confidence and mindset for leaders, inspired by the work of Brené Brown and Carol Dweck. The session delved into the importance of cultivating self-belief, resilience, and a growth mindset — all of which are essential for driving both personal and business success.

Why does this matter for leaders?

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it is about being adaptable, encouraging innovation, and helping others find their potential. Confidence isn’t about being perfect – it’s more about trusting in your ability to grow, learn, and lead. A growth mindset — as outlined by Carol Dweck in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — is the key to overcoming setbacks, embracing feedback, and continuously evolving.

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset, a concept popularised by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities, intelligence, and talents can be learned and developed over time. In contrast, a fixed mindset is the belief that these qualities are static or innate — you are either “born with it” or you’re not. With a growth mindset, challenges are seen as opportunities for development, and setbacks are viewed as part of the learning process, rather than evidence of failure.

Key aspects of a growth mindset include:

• Embracing challenges: Believing that facing difficulties helps you grow.
• Effort leads to mastery: Recognising that putting in effort and practice improves skills and abilities.
• Learning from feedback: Viewing constructive criticism as valuable input for growth rather than a personal attack.
• Persistence: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep going, knowing that growth is a process.

So, how can you apply this in practice?

1. Embrace the Growth Mindset: Leaders with a growth mindset believe that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. To implement this, actively shift your language. Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” say “I can’t do this yet.” This simple shift encourages persistence and resilience.
2. View Challenges as Opportunities: When faced with a tough situation or failure, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Dweck’s research suggests that people with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to improve, not as insurmountable obstacles. This mindset helps leaders build resilience and encourages their teams to do the same.
3. Focus on Effort Over Outcome: Praise effort, strategy, and progress rather than innate talent. This aligns with Dweck’s research, which shows that people who are praised for their efforts (rather than their intelligence) are more likely to tackle difficult tasks and persist in the face of failure. As a leader, recognizing effort in your team fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth.
4. Develop Emotional Resilience: Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfections. Leaders who allow themselves to be vulnerable — whether admitting mistakes or asking for feedback — create an environment where others feel safe to do the same. This openness builds trust and enables greater creativity and innovation within teams.
5. Practice Self-Compassion: Leaders often hold themselves to high standards, but Dweck’s research reminds us that self-compassion is key. When you’re feeling uncertain or frustrated, treat yourself with the same kindness and patience you’d offer a team member. This approach not only enhances personal well-being but also sets an example for your team to model.

Take Control of Your Brain and Power Your Success

By consciously managing your mindset and applying these strategies, you empower yourself to perform at your best. Shifting to a growth mindset allows you to unlock your potential and navigate leadership challenges with resilience and confidence. The key takeaway is this: leadership success isn’t just about managing others, it’s about managing your own mind. By taking control of your thoughts and beliefs, you can transform obstacles into stepping stones and create lasting success for both yourself and your team.

Blog by Leatham Green, Transformation Director, Oracle, headline sponsors of the SPDS Annual Conference.