Your Growth Mindset: A Key Skill for the Future of Work

Growth Mindset has been a hot topic in recent years. It refers to the belief that one's abilities can be developed through effort and learning.

My Personal Journey with Learning

I became truly interested in these concepts when I realised that I was an "always learner." To better understand my personal journey, we need to go back a few years to when I was a child.

At the age of 7, I was living in Armenia and was naturally very curious. At home, I would ask my parents a thousand questions a day, but at school it was different. The culture and local mindset at that time didn’t encourage children to speak up when they wanted to. I remember often feeling limited in my ability to express myself.

A few years later, I arrived in Russia. Although I wasn’t yet in a country of free speech, I clearly felt the difference in the educational system. At school, asking questions was valued! What a surprise for me, accustomed to extreme modesty in my public speaking.

Then came the summer of 2004, the year I turned 22. It was the year I took my first steps on French soil. A new cultural shock for me : I arrived in a country where freedom of expression is valued and where education is accessible to everyone. I enjoyed learning about all sorts of subjects, reading a book or magazine a week, and feeling good. It also helped me grow my French speaking skills.

I quickly realised that I had an obsessive desire to learn more and more, to open myself up to new subjects. As soon as I realised that I had gaps in my knowledge on a subject at work, I took the time to learn about the subject in question so that I could also express myself if I wanted to. I am an always learner, and at that time I had no idea that I was developing a key quality in the current world.

The Importance of a Growth Mindset in Today's World

Today's business world requires constant adaptability. The skills that were relevant yesterday will definitely not be relevant tomorrow. That's why it's crucial to adopt a mindset that values lifelong learning.

How to Develop your Growth Mindset

Here are some practical tips for developing your growth mindset:

1. Set clear goals: Define specific goals for your professional development. Whether it is learning a new language, acquiring specific technical skills, or strengthening your leadership skills, having clear goals gives you direction. These goals need to go alongside a timeline. Where would you like to be in 5 years? What job would you like to have? In which country? Then write down the skills you need to achieve this goal.
2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses: Take the time to assess your current skills. Identify your strengths and areas for improvement. This will help you focus your efforts on the areas where you need the most growth.
3. Take online courses: We are fortunate to live in a time when access to education is easily accessible with a few clicks. Many online platforms, such as Coursera, offer a multitude of learning modules on various topics. From programming to management, these trainings allow you to learn at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.
4. Find mentors: Find mentors in your field. It is important to surround yourself with people who can share their experiences, give you valuable advice, and most importantly, share their past mistakes, which you can try to avoid.
5. Take risks: Step outside your comfort zone and accept projects that challenge you. Risk-taking promotes learning and growth. Of course, I do not advise you to accept projects that seem crazy to you without having a plan in place. However, dare to experiment on unfamiliar terrain if you think you can come out a winner.
6. Join professional communities: Professional networks provide a platform for learning through the exchange of ideas, collaboration, and the discovery of new trends.
7. Read regularly: Personally, I have always enjoyed reading, but I can understand that this may be different for you. Keep in mind that reading broadens your intellectual horizons. And if you are not a big fan of reading, opt for audiobooks or podcasts! Choose books, articles, and blogs that are relevant to your field, but not only that, in order to always keep an open mind.
8. Develop your soft skills: Interpersonal skills are just as important as technical skills. And especially in today's world, where many technical skills can simply be replaced by new technologies. So work on your communication, your emotional intelligence, and your ability to work in a team.

In conclusion, no matter your personal background, adopting a "growth mindset" and committing to a continuous process of learning is a wise choice in a constantly changing world.

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