695: Team Collaboration Supports Growth Mindset, with Mary Murphy

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Aug 26, 2024

Mary Murphy, a Professor at Indiana University and founder of the Equity Accelerator, dives into the intricate dance between growth and fixed mindsets within teams. She reveals how team culture can either stifle or elevate a growth mindset and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in fostering an inclusive atmosphere. Murphy also challenges the notion that growth cultures lack data focus, advocating for a nuanced approach to competition that aligns incentives for organizational support. Discover strategies to transform performance evaluations into growth opportunities!

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INSIGHT

Mindset Continuum

People have both fixed and growth mindsets, not just one.
Mindset exists on a continuum, influenced by environment and triggers.

INSIGHT

Cultures of Genius vs. Growth

Cultures of genius prioritize individual status, leading to competition and hoarding.
Cultures of growth prioritize collaboration, learning from mistakes, and data sharing.

ANECDOTE

Multinational Bank's Assignment Strategy

A multinational bank gave senior employees more challenging assignments to keep them engaged.
This backfired as other employees felt limited, leading to frustration and disengagement.

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Mary Murphy: Cultures of Growth

Mary Murphy is Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. She is also Founding Director of the Summer Institute on Diversity at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University and founder and CEO of the Equity Accelerator, a research and consulting organization that works with schools and companies to create more equitable learning and working environments. She is the author of Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations*.

Many of us have heard the distinction between a fixed and a growth mindset. Turns out it’s more of a both/and, especially with our teams. In this conversation, Mary and I discuss how team collaboration can support a growth mindset.

Key Points

Nobody has only a fixed or a growth mindset. While we may favor one, all of us shift between them.
Team culture is so powerful that it can either block or encourage a growth mindset.
Mindset doesn’t just affect perceptions and behaviors, it shapes the bottom line.
To support collaboration, begin with a cues audit. Consider starting with affinity groups.
It’s misperception that cultures of growth are less data-centric than cultures of genius. The opposite is actually true.
Don’t eliminate competition, recast it. Consider how incentives align with supporting others and the organization as a whole.
Yes, share outcomes — and also include the distance traveled to achieve them. This supports a culture of growth.
Traditional rating systems, especially forced-rankings, often reinforce cultures of genius.

Resources Mentioned

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

Growth Mindset Helps You Rise From the Ashes, with Jeff Hittenberger (episode 326)
How to Build Psychological Safety, with Amy Edmondson (episode 404)
Help Your Team Embrace Growth Mindset, with Eduardo Briceño (episode 644)

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