"Unlocking the Power of Mindset: Insights from 'Success Mindsets'

This week, I had the pleasure of delving into "Success Mindsets" by Ryan Gottfredson. My journey into Professor Gottfredson's work began during my doctoral research when I stumbled upon his insightful critique, "A critique of the Leader-Member Exchange construct: Back to square one." Serendipity struck again when a colleague casually mentioned his work, sparking my curiosity even further.

Adding to this serendipitous chain of events, I decided to shoot Professor Gottfredson an out-of-the-blue email, seeking feedback on my proposed dissertation topic. To my delight, he promptly responded with invaluable suggestions. These three meaningful interactions with his work and himself led me to "Success Mindsets," his latest literary contribution. I can confidently say it did not disappoint.

The book's overarching thesis, which left an indelible mark on me, revolves around the profound influence of our mindset on how we perceive and experience the world. Towards the end of the book, Professor Gottfredson poses a seemingly straightforward yet transformative question: "Do you generally think that people are trying their best?"

While this question may appear simplistic, it possesses the potential to revolutionize how we approach our interactions with others. Allow me to illustrate with two quick scenarios:

Scenario #1: Consider a colleague who consistently falls behind in meeting deadlines. Is this a sign of their lack of motivation or care, or are they genuinely trying their best?

Scenario #2: Your manager isn't providing the coaching and guidance you crave, leading to resentment. Are they being lazy and unaware, or are they sincerely doing their best in their own way?

By anchoring yourself in this fundamental belief, your perspective on the situation and your response to it can undergo a profound transformation. Personally, I found this idea deeply resonating, and I've already noticed a shift in how I handle certain situations, grounded in the belief that individuals are, indeed, trying their best.

This, of course, is just one of the many enlightening concepts presented throughout the book. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the author for providing such a comprehensive exploration of mindset research and its practical applications in both work and personal life. Ryan Gottfredson

You should try the Personal Mindset Assessment (7mins), I did. https://ryangottfredson.com/form-start/?organization=personal-mindset-assessment