Mindsets - Book Study

Book studies are a great way to develop stronger staff relationships.  I highly recommend Carol Dweck's  Mindset as a book that will start great conversations. Conversations that have personally led me to consider how I have dealt with students and my own sons.  

Dweck believe there are two different types of mindsets, fixed and growth. Those with a fixed mindset believe their talents and abilities cannot be improved through any means. They feel that they are born with a certain amount of talent and typically do not wish to challenge their abilities due to the possibility of failure. Individuals with a fixed mindset frequently guard themselves against situations in which they feel they need to prove their personal worth. Challenges are frequently viewed negatively, instead of as an opportunity for personal growth.

People that practice a growth mindset believe abilities, such as athleticism and mathematical capacity, can be improved through hard work and persistence. When presented with an obstacle, those practicing a growth mindset tend to rise to the challenge. Often, people of the growth mindset do not fear failure; instead, they view it as a chance to improve themselves.

Conversations from our book study have focused not only how we can create growth mindets in our students, children and ourselves.  But it has also led to conversations how we have been creating fixed mindsets by the ways we often teach and praise our students and children. 

Personally through the book study and reading Mindset, I have changed my attitude of how to approach challenges.  I am more apt to embrace struggles instead of giving up after a initial failures.  

To learn more about the book Mindset, I have added a link: Mindset.  I have also added a graphic that is at the end of the book that better explains the difference between a Growth and Fixed Mindset. Please feel free to share with me if you have other books that have generated quality staff discussions.