"Becoming is better than being."– Carol S. Dweck

You’re a seasoned leader navigating the pressures of a competitive world. At work, you’re in your element—an unexpected market shift? No problem. With a spark of energy, you rally your team, dive into brainstorming, and tackle the problem head-on. Yet, when you’re back home, and your teenage daughter slams her bedroom door after a heated disagreement, you feel stuck. The confidence that fueled you at work dissolves. You think, ‘Nothing I do will make a difference.’ The same person, two vastly different responses—why?

Sound familiar? This contrast reveals something deeper about the way we approach life’s challenges: mindsets aren’t fixed—they adapt to the context.

Mindsets—the beliefs and attitudes that shape how we perceive ourselves and the world—aren’t as rigid as they seem. While you might confidently embrace challenges in one area of your life, you could approach another with hesitation or fear. Interestingly, while a growth mindset often inspires progress, there are moments when holding firm—a fixed mindset—can serve as a strength. Why does this happen? And what does it reveal about how we engage with growth and change?

‍What Are Fixed and Growth Mindsets?‍

A fixed mindset stems from the belief that abilities, intelligence, and talents are unchangeable. When this belief takes hold, it becomes easy to think, “I’m just not good at this.” This mindset often leads to avoiding challenges, resisting feedback, and withdrawing from situations without guaranteed success. It’s as though the fear of failure builds a wall between you and possibility.

A growth mindset, on the other hand, is grounded in the belief that abilities can develop through effort, learning, and persistence. Challenges become opportunities to test, adapt, and grow. Feedback isn’t a critique of worth—it’s a tool for improvement.

But here’s the nuance: Neither mindset defines us completely. You may approach one aspect of life with curiosity and openness yet slip into rigidity in another. These situational shifts reveal how context, emotions, and past experiences shape our beliefs about what’s possible. And while fixed mindsets are often seen as limiting, they can also provide stability and clarity in the right situations.

The Positive Side of a Fixed Mindset

While a fixed mindset is often linked to stagnation, it can also be a source of strength in certain situations, offering clarity and consistency in a world of uncertainty. There are moments when holding firm to beliefs or practices provides stability, safeguards values, and reinforces trust.

Take, for instance, an executive who remains unwavering in their commitment to integrity. They refuse to budge even under intense pressure to cut corners or compromise ethical standards. This rigidity, far from being a limitation, becomes a foundation of trust, ensuring their leadership is dependable and grounded in strong ethical values. For their team, this consistency creates a safe and principled environment where expectations are clear, and integrity is non-negotiable.

Similarly, families often adopt a fixed mindset when it comes to preserving cultural or religious traditions. These unchanging beliefs, seen as vital threads in the fabric of their identity, serve to strengthen bonds and maintain a sense of belonging across generations. The steadfastness in celebrating these traditions ensures continuity, creating a bridge between the past and the present while nurturing connections that withstand the test of time.

A fixed mindset around standard procedures can be life-saving in professions where precision and safety are paramount, such as aviation or surgery. Pilots and surgeons adhere strictly to established protocols, even in routine scenarios. This commitment to consistency minimizes risks and ensures safety, particularly in high-stakes situations where deviation could have catastrophic consequences.

On a more personal level, individuals who hold a fixed mindset about avoiding harmful habits, such as smoking or excessive drinking, often find strength in their immovable stance. The belief that “This isn’t something I will ever do” is a protective boundary, helping them maintain long-term health and well-being. This resoluteness becomes a powerful tool in preserving their physical and emotional health.

Far from being inherently negative, a fixed mindset can act as a stabilizing force when conviction, safety, or values are at stake. In such moments, the ability to hold steady is not a limitation but a profound strength.

Insight: “A fixed mindset isn’t inherently negative. Holding firm beliefs can serve as a stabilizing force in moments where conviction, safety, or values are at stake.”

Mindsets Aren’t Fixed: They’re Situational‍

I worked with Elena, a senior executive at a multinational company, as an example. At work, Elena is a powerhouse of resilience and creativity. When her team’s flagship project faced unexpected obstacles, she rallied her team: “Let’s figure this out.” Her energy and openness became a rallying force, inspiring her team to dissect the problem and press forward with determination.

At home, however, the story changed. When her spouse suggested family therapy to address ongoing tensions with their teenage son, Elena’s response was swift and absolute: “This won’t work.” Beneath those words lay frustration, exhaustion, and a quiet ache of helplessness. Past attempts to bridge the gap had ended in slammed doors and unresolved hurt. Revisiting that pain felt unbearable, and the vulnerability required seemed too great a risk.

What changed? At work, where Elena felt confident and in control, she thrived on challenges. At home, where emotions were raw and stakes more personal, the fear of failure triggered a fixed mindset.

Insight: “Confidence often fuels a growth mindset, while vulnerability can anchor us in rigidity. Recognizing these shifts in mindset helps illuminate the deeper beliefs that shape how we navigate challenges.”

An Athlete’s Journey: A Game of Perspectives‍

Now, let’s step into the world of Santiago, a rising star on his national rugby team. For Santiago, representing his country is the culmination of years of sacrifice and determination. But with that honor comes an overwhelming pressure to perform.

In one version of the story, Santiago has a fixed mindset. When his coach critiques his passing game during a team meeting, Santiago feels his heart sink. He tells himself, “Why is he pointing this out in front of everyone? This is just the way I play.” The thought of extra drills feels like a punishment, a public declaration of his inadequacies. He avoids them, sticking to what he already knows while quietly hoping no one notices the gaps in his game. The pressure builds, but his progress stalls.

Now imagine another Santiago. This version has a growth mindset. When the same critique is delivered, it stings—but instead of retreating, he uses it as fuel. After practice, he stays on the field, replaying the feedback in his head. He experiments with new techniques, seeking advice from teammates he admires. Each small victory—a clean pass during a scrimmage or a nod of approval from his coach—builds his confidence. Santiago feels the sting of effort, but he also feels the satisfaction of growth.

The difference between these two Santiagos is striking—not in talent, but in belief.

Insight: “Feedback is a mirror reflecting not only our abilities, but also our beliefs about ourselves. A fixed mindset sees critique as a threat, while a growth mindset views it as an invitation to improve.”

The Fluidity of Mindsets‍

Mindsets aren’t permanent fixtures—they’re dynamic and context-driven. The same person can embody a growth mindset in one setting and a fixed mindset in another. What’s revealing is how these mindsets often correlate with emotions, relationships, and past experiences.
Have you ever noticed how the way you perceive a challenge shift depending on where you are and who you’re with? At work, you might feel energized by complexity. At home, the weight of past disappointments can trigger avoidance. These contrasts aren’t flaws; they’re windows into the deeper stories we carry.

Insight: “The moments where mindsets shift—whether toward growth or fixed thinking—are often linked to our sense of safety, control, and emotional investment in the outcome.”

What Mindsets Teach Us About Ourselves‍

Instead of asking how to change a fixed mindset, consider what that mindset might reveal. Where does it show up most often? What patterns do you notice?
The moments when we feel stuck often point to areas where fear, doubt, or past experiences hold sway. By exploring those patterns, we can begin to untangle the beliefs that shape how we respond to life’s challenges.

Insight: “Understanding the stories we tell ourselves about failure, effort, and ability is the first step toward deeper self-awareness.”

Fixed or Growth? The Mindset That Shapes Your Journey‍

Elena’s and Santiago’s stories reveal that mindsets are less about who we are and more about how we respond to what life throws at us. A fixed mindset can offer stability and clarity in moments that demand conviction, while a growth mindset helps us adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty. Recognizing these shifts—not as flaws or virtues but as reflections of our deeper stories—allows us to engage with challenges more intentionally.

Whether you’re navigating the high-stakes demands of a professional role, like Elena, or the intense pressures of elite sports, like Santiago, mindsets are dynamic. Each situation offers a window into balancing fear, growth, and possibility.

So, the question isn’t how to fix a fixed mindset, but rather: What does your mindset reveal about how you embrace life’s challenges and opportunities for growth

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‍If you would like to gain more insights about Mindset, I recommend the following books:

·     Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carlos S. Dweck

·     Atomic Habits, James Clear

·     The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey

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