Growth Mindset: What It Really Means for Your Career

Growth mindset is one of those phrases that gets used a lot, especially in leadership and career conversations. But it is often talked about in a way that feels vague or motivational rather than practical.

In this episode of Career Clarity Insights, I slow the conversation down and explore what growth mindset actually means, how it shows up in real careers, and what happens when it is missing.

For me, growth mindset has always been about being open and ready to learn - not waiting for someone else to tell you that you need to develop, and not stagnating once you feel competent. It is about recognising your gaps, staying curious, and deliberately doing something about them.

I also talk about:

• how growth mindset differs from simply being “driven”

• the difference between being content and having a fixed mindset

• how stability in some areas of life can support growth in others

• why discomfort is often a signal for development, not avoidance

• what growth mindset looks like in practice - feedback, learning, adaptation, and ownership

This episode is especially relevant if you are:

• feeling stagnant or resistant to change

• noticing gaps but avoiding certain skills or conversations

• working in an industry that expects continual learning and adaptability

• wanting to build long-term confidence and resilience

Growth mindset is not a destination. It is a way of operating - one that becomes more important, not less, as your career evolves.

🎧 You can listen to the episode above, on Spotify or read the full transcript below:

Growth Mindset: What It Really Means for Your Career

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Career Clarity Insights. I’m Elsa Hogan, and this is where I share my reflections and practical ideas to help you build a career and life that you love.

Today I want to talk about growth mindset. This is one of those phrases that gets used a lot, especially in career and leadership conversations, but it is often spoken about in a way that feels vague or motivational rather than practical.

So today I want to explore what growth mindset actually means, how it shows up in real life and careers, and what happens when it is missing.

What Growth Mindset Means to Me

For me, growth mindset has always been about being open and ready to learn. Not waiting for someone to tell me that I need to develop, and not assuming I am good enough now and switching off.

I like to recognise where my gaps are and then actively do something about them. Throughout my career, I have been curious about what my industry is doing, what the best leaders are doing, and what high-performing businesses do differently — and why it works.

That curiosity often turns into experimentation. I try things, apply concepts, and figure out what works for me and what does not. That is what has shaped my leadership style.

I have never felt like I have reached a point where there is nothing left to learn. Development is ongoing. It is not a destination, it is a way of operating.

Learning Beyond Work

That learning does not just come from work. I love training, courses, self-development, reading, coaching, and mentoring. I deliberately put myself in situations where I feel uncomfortable, because I know that is where growth happens.

Take a moment to reflect on what growth mindset means to you. Do you think you have one?

When Growth Mindset Is Missing

You can often tell when growth mindset is missing because people are content with the status quo. They are not interested in learning, developing, or doing things differently.

There is an important distinction here. Being content is not the same as having a fixed mindset. Someone can be happy with their life and still be curious, learning, and evolving.

A fixed mindset shows up as resistance to change, reluctance to learn, or a lack of interest in developing new skills — even when the world around them is clearly moving on.

Why This Matters Now

This matters more than ever because different roles and industries expect different things. Leadership roles, people-facing roles, and evolving industries require adaptability.

If you are not growing, you are not standing still — you are falling behind as others move forward.

Over time, I have learned that you cannot grow every area of your life at once. Stability in some areas allows growth in others. For me, routine and structure at home help me manage change elsewhere.

Leaning Into Discomfort

Even with a growth mindset, blind spots still exist. One example for me has been sales. I found it uncomfortable and avoided it — until curiosity kicked in.

Leaning into that discomfort helped me reframe sales as value, not persuasion. Growth mindset does not remove discomfort, but it changes how you relate to it.

Growth Mindset in Practice

In practice, growth mindset looks like:

• seeking feedback rather than avoiding it

• noticing gaps without treating them as personal failures

• staying curious about what is possible

• adapting as environments change

• taking responsibility for your own development

No one is coming to develop you. You have to take ownership.

Applying It Now

If you are listening and thinking this resonates, that is great. If you are thinking you might be stuck in a fixed mindset, that is okay too.

Growth mindset becomes real when applied to something specific. Pick one meaningful area — a skill, a conversation, your health, or a relationship — and focus on learning and evolving there.

Stay curious. Stay open. Growth is always available if you are willing to engage with it.

Thank you for listening, and I will see you in the next episode.