When discussing leadership, it’s often easy to associate it with power and authority. However, genuine leadership transcends these notions, encompassing skills such as motivation, guidance, and the ability to influence others toward a common goal. It involves creating a vision, inspiring others, and fostering an environment that enables your team to flourish and reach their full potential. Authentic leadership isn’t solely about titles; it’s about the capacity to empower and set a positive example, driving positive change and fostering growth.
In today’s dynamic landscape, leadership and change are inextricable. Successful leadership isn’t about maintaining the status quo; it’s about embracing change as an opportunity for growth and innovation. Take the pandemic, for instance – some organisations thrived despite facing daunting challenges. Faced with adversity, we have a choice: either to remain stagnant and succumb or to perceive it as an opportunity to break free from our comfort zone. Many chose the latter, thinking outside the box and motivating their teams to embrace change – all driven by a growth mindset.
In a recent interview with Kathleen Hogan, Chief People Officer at Microsoft, we gained valuable insights into culture transformation and the power of a growth mindset. The key takeaway? It all begins with self-awareness, not just in identifying those without a growth mindset but also in recognizing our own fixed tendencies.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, illustrated this by asking Kathleen Hogan to survey his leadership team about instances where he exhibited a fixed mindset. He then shared the results with the top 200 executives, stating, “Here is where I demonstrate a fixed mindset; here’s what I’m working on.” Learning and implementing the growth mindset is a journey, and as leaders, we must commence with ourselves and set an example.
“Don’t be a know-it-all. Be a learn-it-all.”
Satya Nadella
Satya Nadella’s quote encapsulates how Microsoft employees embrace the philosophy of the growth mindset. Embark on this journey and witness how you evolve into a better leader every day.
You can read the full interview here: Shifting from a Culture of Know-It-Alls to Learn-It-Alls
