Shift your mindset: How to master change

 

Today’s world of work is characterised by transformation and ambiguity. Constant change impacts how we work, who we interact with and what we prioritise. Restructures, technological advances and new leadership approaches are the norm, but some people adapt to such change better than others. The way you think has a huge impact on your ability to master change. Now, it’s more important than ever to develop a growth mindset so you can operate successfully outside your comfort zone.

Fixed and growth mindsets

As our CEO has explored, most people constantly shift between two different mindsets or ways of thinking. According to Stanford University Psychologist Carol Dweck in her book  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, the first is a fixed mindset and the second is a growth mindset. According to Dweck, those with a fixed mindset believe they either have certain skills or they don’t and there’s nothing they can do to change it. They avoid challenges, ignore constructive feedback and feel threatened by change. They avoid pushing themselves outside their comfort zone to try new approaches or learn new things. In contrast, those with a growth mindset believe that new abilities can be developed through practice and effort. They find inspiration in change and see life as an endless opportunity to try new methods. They believe in their own capacity to grow and appreciate that failure is part of adapting to change and learning. These two powerful mindsets impact the degree to which we motivate ourselves to approach a difficult task or new method. When it comes to mastering change in the workplace, adopting a growth mindset over a fixed mindset is crucial for success.

The pace of change requires a growth mindset

Most people transition between growth and fixed mindsets. For example, perhaps the evolution of your role requires you to take a more data-centred approach to tasks, but you feel overwhelmed and therefore delay a specific reporting project. You struggle to find the motivation or inclination to commence. Despite rationally appreciating that you must adapt to this new change in approach, your fixed mindset takes over. Such situations are only going to become more frequent. Already, employers are preparing for the future. According to our recently released Hays Salary Guide, over a third have undergone a workplace transformation in the past year, with 63% changing their operational structure and almost half (49%) digitising workstreams. Meanwhile, 68% of the employees we surveyed said they have collaborated or worked within new teams over the past year. 65% have developed and used new skills, almost 60% have found new ways to be effective and productive and 63% have performed tasks outside their standard job descriptions. Never has the world of work experienced so much change. Out of necessity, we must learn to adapt, test, learn and challenge ourselves on a near daily basis. When we do, we’re far more likely to master change and future-proof our career.

 

A growth mindset will have a positive influence on your ability to accept and master change and secure your future career success. Here’s how to begin.

Become more self-aware

Reflect on your typical response to change. Consider what triggers a transition into a fixed mindset and how you can return to a position of growth. For example, do you worry about not being ‘good enough’, feel overwhelmed or fear failure? Listen to the voice in your head to understand your self-limiting narratives and what a fixed mindset means for you. Silence them and consciously move to a mindset of growth.

Understand the ROI

If you’re feeling uncertain or fearful, accept that there is a strategic reason for the change your organisation is adopting – and that you can proactively look to understand it. Once you do, you’ll be able to support the change wholeheartedly. For example, understand the return on investment by asking your manager or change leaders about the objectives and benefits of the change. Then, determine what your role is in supporting the change and what you must do or achieve personally.

Develop your soft skills

Adaptability is a vital soft skill that, like all others, can be learnt. Being adaptable will help you quickly flex and shift your mindset so you can accept and embrace change at work. Learn how to improve your adaptability and demonstrate it at work to support your growth mindset and ability to master change. As part of your learning process, look for opportunities to stretch your skills in your current job. For instance, perhaps you could learn to adapt and use new technologies to strengthen existing workflows. Lifelong learning is a key ingredient to your ongoing success.

Actively participate

Be proactive in supporting change. Attend your organisation’s information sessions, read emails, be curious, stay connected and get involved. Adopt a positive attitude and be open to going on the change journey. If you struggle to accept change, look for opportunities in your everyday life to practice making adjustments. Remember, it’s okay to start small. For example, buy your coffee from a different café, explore a new walking track or try a new recipe. Look for opportunities, big and small, to change your perspective.

Embrace vulnerability

Next, make a conscious choice to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Often, people with a fixed mindset find vulnerability hard, but don’t automatically choose the path of least resistance. Instead, focus on tasks you perceive to be difficult and approach them with a mindset of growth. Over time, you’ll train your brain to adopt this mindset from the outset and tackle every new challenge with enthusiasm and confidence, rather than avoidance and fear. If possible, talk to your manager about your feelings of anxiety. Be open and honest and ask for support.

Fail proudly

Mastering change can be a satisfying and rewarding experience, but there are also times when a new approach fails. After all, we’re all human and fallible. In such cases, understand that failure is part of any transformation. While an approach may not work as hoped, in the process you’ll learn something that you wouldn’t have otherwise – including what you can do better next time. So, when failure occurs, respond quickly. Seek feedback, reflect, then try a different approach.

It takes time and effort to master change

You will not shift your behaviour overnight. It takes time to master change and a mindset of growth. You may struggle at first, so focus on your learning journey. Start small and remain positive. Celebrate wins. Over time, you’ll become more confident when faced with something new. As the world of work continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, we’re going to work outside our comfort zone more regularly. Take steps now to adopt a growth mindset. Move beyond the boundaries of your normal day-to-day routine and explore new territory with zeal and confidence.