Growth Mindset: Why Hitting Your Targets Should Never Be Enough

Does your team have a growth mindset, or are they hard and fast focused on their targets?  I’m currently reading the book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential by John Maxwell.  In his book, a growth mindset is going above and beyond with your key performance indicators (KPIs).  For example, if your target is 10, a growth mindset is that you hit 11, 12, 13, 14, or even 15.  The point is to progress further.  I learned about growth mindset just last weekend in a 10k fun run of all places!   (I'm not sure why they call it a fun run!) Now this is the first time I've done a fun run since 2019, which was some time ago!

Setting My Target for the 10k Fun Run

When you registered, you were required to register for a certain time.  I registered for around a 60 minute time or a six minute pace.  That’s what I run around where I live, so that's the time that i registered.  So off we went!  I wasn’t happy with the pace, but there were pacesetters there so I stuck with the pacer of 55 minutes. At least I knew if I stay with him, I'm bound to beat 60 minutes.  In other words, beat my target, but I'm also going to get close to that 55 minutes!

That is a big hint for you!  When you're running targets (KPIs) in your business, your team needs feedback so they can see what they need to do every day to hit that target at the end of the month.  During the fun run, I received that feedback every kilometer. I could see how far or how close I was to that pacer.  I’m was also getting constant feedback from my watch.  There's another big hint for you! Many of us set a target, and then revisit that target three days before it's due.  Unfortunately, we then have to rush to get it all done.  

Changing from a Target Mindset to a Growth Mindset 

I continue to run with the 55 minute pacer, but at about 4k into a 10k run, I change my mindset. My mindset goes from running a 60 minute 10k to running a 57 ½ minute.  I didn't think I could keep up with this 55 minute pacer all the way.  I felt I was going to drop off the pack by the 6K.  Now I’m confused.  My watch tells me I’m going to be running a 50 at the pace I was running.  Am i running at 5 1/2 minute pace or am I running a 5 minute pace? All I knew was that I was running faster.  

At 7k, I change my goal again.  My target now is 55 minutes.  We get to the eighth kilometer. All the indicators now tell me that i am now no longer making 55 minutes. I will come close to that 52 ½! Wow!   So I push those last couple of kilometers and I come through in about a 50 1/2, which was a record for me.  I was ecstatic with that.

Lesson We Can Learn From My 10k Fun Run

When I got the feedback, I knew how fast i needed to go. I was getting regular feedback to determine whether i was going to hit my target.  As i was achieving my target with relative ease, my target changed.  I set the target, but changed it on the run.  Thus, I kept taking my level up.  That's what John Maxwell talks about as a growth mindset.  I encounter many people in many different businesses where they set a target, aim for a target, hit the target.  They’re happy.  

Another example is I coach my daughter's sporting team. Some players are happy by winning by one goal or by one point.  However, other players want to win by a hundred! A growth mindset encourages us to push beyond the target, and keep going as far as possible.  My question again is does your team have that growth mindset?  Is your culture around hitting a target and stopping, or is it around pushing through that target? Is it about getting that KPI number and pausing, or is it about pushing beyond?  

How to Hire Growth Minded Individuals for Your Business

Two Questions to Ask During an Interview

1. If you were a member of a winning sporting team, are you the type of person who wants to win by one goal, five goals, or as many goals as possible?  

2. You are on a run, and your target is 30 minutes.  You're running a little bit faster.  Do you pull back a little bit or do you go faster?  

In other words, do they want to push beyond just winning by getting one extra sale?  Or going for five extra sales?  

A Growth Mindset Will Separate You as a Team Member and Leader

Operating outside your comfort zone is the key to improving your performance. It also trains you to develop a habit for excellence. A growth mindset will separate you as a team member.  Whether it's a growth mindset for a team member in a sporting team or in a business.  It will help the business you work for go further.  You’ll add enormous value. If you have this growth mindset, you add enormous value to your team and department.

If you're a department leader, team captain, department leader, manager, or owner of a business, create a culture of not just hitting targets, but going beyond targets.  In some cases, you might need to use a financial incentive.  However, it is more often than not just the culture that you set in your business.  

In Conclusion 

1. As a leader, create a culture of not just hitting targets, but surpassing targets 

2. When you're running targets (KPIs) in your business, give your team feedback so they can see what they need to do every day to hit that target at the end of the month. 

3. Monitor your progress. Don't wait till 3 days before the target is due, and have to rush to meet it. 

4. Having a growth mindset is a great way to stand out on your team.  . 

That's the challenge for you. Do you want a growth mindset or a target mindset?  Do you want to hit the targets and be done? What do you want in your business?   At Active Management, my goal is to add value to your business. Whether you are a department leader, team leader, or owner of a business. I want to add value by sharing my experiences.  As I work with customers and clients, I want to share with you what i learn. And hopefully, I can make you a strong leader. 

Book a coaching call with JT!