Adopting a Growth Mindset
Written by @andy_bennett Cofounder of @ConnectMentors
The tech scene has evolved. Bright ideas and eager hearts now blend with big business and optimisation.
With a new product or service born every minute, we now want to quantify and analyse the results (Product Hunt anyone?). And within the vibrant chaos comes a grain of order as the industry reflects.
There’s never been a better time to work and thrive in tech.
But amongst all these new ideas, kickstarter campaigns and growth hacking articles, when are we meant to focus on growing ourselves?
What is a “growth mindset”?
A growth mindset is in us right from the very beginning. It’s what takes us from crawling to walking, and from crying to conversing with our parents. It carries you through school, further education and into your first role.
It is one of continuous learning, where every day brings a series of new challenges and small victories. As well as failures. Its focus is not on how smart we are right now but on how we can continually push ourselves to become better.
The shortfall is that, for many, this starts slowing down after education and meanders to a halt in the work place, only to be brought out and dusted off again when a promotion is on the horizon.
But the technology scene isn’t about the linear, and careers don’t have to be one-track if you can shoot off in any direction you want.
So why aren’t more people seizing a growth mindset?
Well lot’s of people are. From career-changers to co-founders and CEOs, growth seekers are all around. They can be identified by the quality of their work relationships, towering skill sets and speedy progression.
The popularity of outfits General Assembly and Code Academy proves how much industry appetite there is for advancement if you’re willing to pay. And where it can lead you. Traditional career paths are now being eschewed in favour of a wider learning approach; bringing a holistic vantage point to any one role, and the chance to diversify.
But Connect want to ignite that spark in everyone. For free.
For many the desire to advance is there, but the opportunity.. is not. This could be down to not knowing the value of inter-colleague communication or even a competitive spirit in the work place. And this prevalent culture of ‘going it alone’ hampers not only individuals, but company productivity as a whole. This is where the helping culture comes in.
The idea of creating a helping culture within tech is a hot topic right now. And one that the world-renowned design firm IDEO have placed at the centre of their business. For these guys it’s simple: good output comes not just from the analytical, but from freedom of ideas. And this means putting interaction first.
IDEO have proven time and time again how much happier and effective people are when they help each other out. They’re strategy is so successful in fact, Harvard conducted a two year study on their work environment. More on that here.
As easy as it is to assume they’re just one of those supernaturally good companies, full of eager workaholics, their ideology can actually be transferred easily onto any business — or even industry. And when combined with the growth mindset, magical things can happen.
And that’s what Connect is all about. Rather than taking on businesses case by case like our friends IDEO here, we believe the helping culture starts with the individual. At all career stages, ages and skills.
By encouraging growth-seeking, and providing the best mentors, we want to create that helping culture in the London tech industry.
And a better, happier you.
Fancy joining us? http://connectmentors.london
