{"id":39336,"date":"2024-11-07T11:14:20","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T19:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=39336"},"modified":"2024-11-07T11:14:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T19:14:20","slug":"coaching-a-growth-mindset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/coaching-a-growth-mindset\/","title":{"rendered":"Coaching a Growth Mindset"},"content":{"rendered":"

The past two weekends revolved around my colleague, Elysse, and my design workshops. We have different NPOs, but they are closely related. The workshops addressed, in different ways, the lack of collaboration between Mauritanian communities and non-profits, the government, and other leaders. All workshop participants said that the solution is a societal change of mentality. How does one cultivate a mental shift for an entire community? This is where the participants would get stuck. I kept this question at the forefront of my thoughts as I read Dr. Carol Dweck\u2019s book Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfill Your Potential<\/em>, hoping to find some guidance.<\/p>\n

Dr. Dweck addresses two different mindsets in her book. The fixed mindset<\/em> is the belief that one\u2019s intellect, qualities, and abilities are static and define who and what one can become.[1]<\/a> In contrast, a growth mindset<\/em> is a perspective that one\u2019s qualities and potential can be developed and changed over time.[2]<\/a> Throughout Mindset<\/em>, Dr. Dweck refers to numerous studies and examples of these two ways of thinking and the outcomes. When faced with failure or challenges, those who maintain a fixed mindset become defensive and paralyzed to change themselves or their circumstances. In Dr. Dweck\u2019s words, they become \u201cnonlearners.\u201d [3]<\/a> Those with a growth mindset embrace opportunities to learn and grow through difficult circumstances and challenges.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

The book’s principles about a growth mindset align beautifully with the concept of coaching. Coaching is walking with people, helping them to learn, grow, and move forward, essentially engaging a growth mindset.[5]<\/a>The answer to the question left by my workshop, \u201cHow does one cultivate a mentality change for an entire community?\u201d can be found in coaching a growth mindset. How does one do that? Here are three principles I discovered in the book to help develop a growth mindset in others. I have paired these principles with some coaching questions I often use that I find helpful and relevant to the principles, perhaps you will find them helpful as well.<\/p>\n

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      1. Encourage the process. <\/strong>The growth mindset is not about praise of ability and accomplishment but rather about the process of getting there.[6]<\/a>
        \nWhat went well during the process?
        \nWhat do you wish you would have known before you started?
        \nWhat would you tell yourself if you could go back in time?
        \nWhat do you want to do with this as you move forward?
        \nWho would you like to invite to join you?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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            1. Embrace the obstacles. <\/strong>Hindrances, failures, and challenges are areas to learn, grow, and move beyond, not to utter defeat.[7]<\/a>
              \nWhat specifically bothered you about this obstacle?
              \nWhat did you learn that you did not know before?
              \nWhat is left unanswered or unresolved for you?
              \nWhat do you want to do with this?<\/li>\n
            2. Develop understanding. <\/strong>Knowledge and data are essential, but understanding is where actual growth comes from.[8]<\/a>
              \nWhat do you want to explore more?
              \nWhat are some highlights of this experience?
              \nWhat do you not want to forget?
              \nWhat is God inviting you to?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
            3. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              I want to use these to encourage others to have a growth mindset. Before a coach can be effective, she must first look at herself. Where am I having a fixed mindset? I admit I had one concern concerning the outcomes of my workshop and potential solutions for my NPO. Here are some things I need to remember from the coaching process.<\/p>\n

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                1. I must remember this is a process, and, overall, the workshop went very well.<\/li>\n
                2. There are obstacles, and I have seen God use them to motivate me to work with others to find a solution.<\/li>\n
                3. I am learning through my insufficiencies, and God invites me to trust His strength in my weaknesses.[9]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  As I continue my journey of having a growth mindset, I want to remember the impact we can have as we coach leaders to do the same. This is a personal, leadership, and spiritual journey. Tom Camacho encourages leaders to join the Lord in developing leaders, \u201cJesus is ever calling and equipping leaders to join him in his kingdom work. Let\u2019s cooperate with him in that mining and refining process.\u201d[10]<\/a> Keith Webb shares three ways Christian leaders can develop a coaching mindset in his book The COACH Model for Christian Leaders: Powerful Leadership Skills for Solving Problems, Reaching Goals, and Developing Others<\/em>:<\/p>\n