I’ve often wondered how the finest in a certain career or field got to such heights.
- Are they really talented that they inherently possess the necessary abilities for the job?
- Do they possess a unique mindset or attitude that contributes to their success?
- What strategies do they use to build and maintain a strong personal brand?
- What efforts are they taking to guarantee they keep current with the ever-changing trends in sectors today?
- In what ways do they contribute to their industry beyond their primary job responsibilities?
As an aspiring pharmacist, who has recently completed her first job’s probation (that’s an accomplishment, y’all), the last few months have taught me valuable lessons on continuous improvement. If I have to be great at something I have to try my best to achieve that. I discovered one can greatly improve if he/she has a growth mindset.
6 Essential Mindsets for Continuous Career Growth
Through the months, I observed these characteristics that I thought led all the successful people I encountered to excel in their work. Here are six mindsets to adopt to excel in work and your career.
1. Humility
The most successful people I worked with were humble from my first day till date. I found that people who made it to the very top of their professions in business, education, law, or medicine were humble people. The willingness to admit that there is more to learn is the mark of an excellent leader.
Incongruously, people who were trying to excel in their work but had not reached the top were the arrogant, egotistical ones. This seemed to be a recurrent occurrence.
For its 75th anniversary, Fortune Magazine dedicated the entire publication to one concept – decision-making. They interviewed leaders from the business, military, education, and political worlds.
The most insightful interview was with Jim Collins, author of Good to Great. His comment was that the most important decisions made in the last 25 years in American boardrooms, regardless of the business, all began with the leaders saying the same 3 words, “I don’t know.”
There are leaders who, when tough decisions had to be made, called in their principal people. They were not afraid to say, “I don’t know how we should handle this issue, but let’s put our heads together and find the best solution.”
I found these humble leaders to be the most secure and strongest leaders.
John Wooden, the iconic UCLA basketball coach, summed up humility when he wrote:
Talent is God-given, be humble. Fame is man-given, be thankful. But conceit is self-given, be careful.
2. Caring
People who excel at work care about their fellow workers. Caring about people is one of the elements of Wellness-Centered Leadership, or leadership that is designed to empower and foster professional fulfillment.
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, when he took over as CEO in 2014, Nadella emphasized creating a culture of empathy, inclusivity, and employee well-being, which marked a significant shift in the company’s internal culture.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nadella demonstrated an attitude by prioritizing employee well-being. Microsoft provided its employees with flexible work options and additional mental health support. Nadella frequently communicated with employees, acknowledging the challenges they were facing and encouraging them to take care of their health and families. He emphasized that productivity should not come at the expense of well-being.
Nadella’s caring attitude has not only improved employee satisfaction and morale but also contributed to the company’s overall success. By fostering a culture of empathy, learning, and inclusivity, Microsoft has become more innovative and responsive to market changes, leading to significant growth under his leadership.
3. Extra Mile
Successful people always do more than is expected of them.
When problems arise, people who excel at work do whatever it takes to resolve the issue. They do not have to be asked; they are always ready to go the extra mile.
One remarkable example of a leader who consistently goes the extra mile is Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cook took decisive actions to prioritize the safety and well-being of Apple employees and customers. While many companies were grappling with how to respond, Cook swiftly closed all Apple retail stores outside Greater China, prioritizing health over profits. This early and proactive measure not only protected employees and customers but also set a standard for the industry.
Cook’s dedication didn’t stop there. Understanding the financial strain faced by employees during store closures, Apple continued to pay its hourly workers, ensuring they were supported during the uncertain times. Moreover, Cook spearheaded Apple’s substantial contributions to global relief efforts, including donations of millions of masks to healthcare workers and financial aid to organizations combating the pandemic.
Beyond crisis management, Cook has also shown an unwavering commitment to social responsibility. Under his leadership, Apple extended payment terms for App Store developers and provided additional resources to support educators transitioning to online learning. These actions demonstrated a profound understanding of the broader impact a company can have on its community, especially during challenging times.
Tim Cook’s leadership during the pandemic is a shining example of going beyond what is expected. It reflects a broader principle: great leaders prioritize people over profits, demonstrating empathy, foresight, and a willingness to take bold actions in the face of uncertainty. Such leaders inspire loyalty and respect, not just within their organizations but across the wider community. By consistently going the extra mile, they set a high standard for what leadership truly means, proving that compassion and ethical responsibility are as crucial to business success as innovation and profitability.
4. Listening
I am convinced the skill of listening can never be overemphasized. We have numerous classes in speaking in our college courses, but I believe a mandatory class in LISTENING within the general education requirements would be of more benefit to the students. Active listening imparts approachability, and it is a valued skill.
Rather than giving you my perspectives on listening, let me share the wisdom of some thought leaders on listening:
- “One of the sincerest forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill
- “Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” – Bernard Beruch
- “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill
- “God gave us a mouth that closes and ears that don’t. That must tell us something.” – Anonymous
- “Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen Covey
- “I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So, if I am going to learn, I must do it by listening.” – Larry King
- “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do something else at the same time.” – Scott Peck
- I never thought of this before. Have you? “The word listen has the same letters as silent.” – Alfred Brendel
5.Continuous Learning
“The mind is like a parachute. It works best when open.” Frank Zappa
Much like listening, knowledge leads to respect. Whatever your profession, you must work hard to learn all you can about it.
As the saying goes “no one knows it all”.
One notable instance of Nadella’s leadership was during the transformation of Microsoft’s culture. Recognizing that the company’s previous “know-it-all” culture needed to change, he introduced a “learn-it-all” mindset, encouraging employees to be curious, empathetic, and open to learning from others. He believed that empathy should be a core trait for all employees, as it helps understand and address the needs of customers and colleagues.
Repetition is the mother of learning. The only way you master a physical skill is through hours of repetition.
6. Consistency of Effort
I used to think that effort was the key to athletic success. I no longer believe this for any profession. I believe the difference between good and great in any endeavor is the consistency of effort.
No one has their “A” game every day, but the great ones develop the ability and the mindset to reach down and bring the best they have every day.
Good athletes can find their best effort periodically. Great athletes have mental toughness once they tie up their shoes for practice and walk onto the field or court to reach maximum effort immediately.
In his famous Pyramid of Success, John Wooden defines success in this way:
Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.
It is critically important to accept that there are no shortcuts to success. When you can consistently bring the best you have each day, you will know how to excel in your career and how to have a success future.
In our ever-changing and fast-paced professional landscape, the growth mindset emerges not just as a trendy concept but as a vital key to career success. By embracing challenges, persisting through setbacks, valuing effort, and seeing failure as a learning opportunity, we can all unlock untold potential and achieve our career goals.
Developing and maintaining a growth mindset isn’t always easy—it demands effort, patience, and resilience. But the rewards are immense. So, let’s commit to fostering a growth mindset to continuous learning and improvement. In doing so, we can ensure that we’re not just surviving in our careers but truly thriving.
To excel at work: Be humble. Be caring. Go the extra mile. Be a listener. Be a life-long learner. Bring consistency of effort.
Now it’s your time to participate in the conversation. What steps have you taken to embrace a growth mindset in your career? What challenges have you surpassed? Which objectives have you fulfilled?
And if you’re still working on developing a development mindset, please share your strategies and approaches with us.
Let us know about your strategies and experiences in the comments section below. Together, let’s grow and learn from one another. Remember that progress is a shared experience rather than an individual one. So, let’s go out on this successful and growing path together!