Decades of systemic research have proven the theory of open and fixed mindsets.
Having one or the other isn’t wrong, there is no right or wrong mindset in our society. We are all different, we all have different thoughts, have different beliefs that filter our perception and influence our behaviour, our traits and practices. This ultimately delivers the results and outcomes we get in life.
This is normal.
However it can play out in many different ways within an organisation.
People of a fixed mind-set hold unconscious beliefs ‘that they are what they are’, they have a fear of failing and negatively impacting their self-image, they will avoid challenges at all costs and stick to what they know.
We call this ‘being stuck in the comfort-zone’.
Same with obstacles, the main difference here is that a conscious choice is made with a challenge, they have processed the idea/challenge and decided NO, not good at that, not doing that! Whereas, with an obstacle it is a real or perceived external force that has got in their way.
They see effort as pretty stupid, what is the point? Why should l do that if l only gets this in return? Pretty limiting thoughts and traits. They believe that the smart thing to do is avoid effort as much as possible.
Negative feedback no matter how it is delivered is often ignored and rejected. It is seen and taken as a direct insult to them. It is personal and a direct criticism of ‘me as a person’. Peers, friends, family, managers and colleagues can end up disengaging from giving productive feedback, further isolating the individuals from external influences that could help them grow, develop and be more satisfied and happy in life.
They don’t like being compared with others, this process uncovers their failings and they can attack the process or others who are achieving higher levels of success. You will hear lots of excuses and reasons why they didn’t or weren’t as good as the others. Ultimately this is a defense mechanism designed to tarnish the results. By attacking others they take the focus off of themself.
As a result of this, many people with a fixed mindset reach a plateau early in life. They can get stuck and resistant and never fulfill their potential. This deepens every day they live by these unconscious beliefs.