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How a Growth Mindset Can Boost Your Confidence and Career

We all know it. You set yourself a goal, work hard for it and, despite your best efforts, experience a setback. But it is precisely in such situations that the question arises; How do I handle this? The right mindset is essential here. We mainly speak of two types: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset.

 

The first question is to what extent the two mindsets differ. The American psychologist Carol Dweck has put forward an interesting thesis. She roughly defines the two approaches as follows:

 

Fixed mindset:

 

  • Innate talent and intelligence determine whether you can do something or not.
  • You learn to get positive feedback and to please others.
  • Mistakes and defeats are viewed as lack of talent and ability.

 

Growth Mindset:

 

  • You are convinced that you can develop skills further.
  • You learn to understand things better through experiences.
  • Mistakes are seen as an opportunity to learn from them and to try new things.

 

In order to gain insight about the kind of mindset that we act on, you have to ask yourself: What kind of mindset do I have? It is helpful to think about fairly recent situations that are still fresh in your memory. Was personal growth in the foreground, or did you act to please others? When a stressful situation or challenging task occurred – did you face it openly or did you try to avoid it? Addressing these kinds of questions can help you determine how you approach challenges and what is your default mindset that you operate with. 

 

Changing your mindset is a process. These are small steps you can start with to help you cultivate a growth mindset and leave old patterns and limiting beliefs behind you:

 

Question your own mindset.

Are you standing in your own way with a restrictive (fixed) mindset? Reorient yourself, because the growth mindset can open doors for you and help you move forward. Having a growth mindset can be trained and strengthened through building awareness.

 

Be open to new ideas and challenges.

Take on new challenges and try to approach failure with a different attitude. Making mistakes is part of life, and so are setbacks. You’ve probably heard how many successful people failed before they were able to reach their goal. Sometimes setbacks are important and can help you refine your direction and make you more determined. Setbacks can become important stepping stones towards your goal, as long as you approach them in this way. 

 

Be patient.

Be acutely aware of the voice in your head. Sometimes we are our worst critic and play negative scripts in our minds over and over again. It took a long time to identify with the negative thought patterns. It might take some time to rewrite the affirmations towards a growth mindset. It is possible to change the script through mindfulness and patience. Every time we become aware of a negative thought pattern, we can actively go through affirmations in our head that are empowering. It will not seem authentic in the beginning, but the more you actively change the story you tell yourself, the more you will start believing in your potential.  

 

Write down positive messages.

Write down a few messages in line with the growth mindset, for example on post-it notes, and stick them somewhere where you can often see them. The more we repeat thoughts, the more likely we are to believe them. Write things like, “I can do xy if I work hard enough.” “Failure is only one step on the way to realizing my goals.”

 

Be realistic.

Try to let go of any perfectionism that you would normally approach things with. There will always be something that can be improved. Rather than focusing on a specific end result, try to approach this mindset change as a practice. Focusing on the process will allow you to grow your confidence steadily. This confidence will transfer into all areas of your life.   

 

Celebrate your achievements.

Not just the big ones, but also the small ones. You work your way forward step by step and you should acknowledge that. There will always be challenges, obstacles, but also a sense of achievement. Accept that and it will be easier to take on challenges with all the uncertainties.

Go your way at your own pace. Learn what works and what doesn’t for you. As long as you don’t stand still, you are heading towards success.

 

The right attitude is the cornerstone of a successful career and life. That is why it is important to find out what attitude you have, how you can change it, if necessary, and how you strengthen it and raise your awareness on a daily basis. Having a “growth mindset” will open many doors for you. We have to believe that with enough practice and perseverance, we can get better and better and achieve our goals. The good news is that the way we think can be changed. Our life can be different if we learn to look at it from the growth mindset perspective.

 

A fixed mindset makes us think that talent and intelligence are static. The growth mindset, on the other hand, means that we believe that we can continuously develop our skills if we only put enough effort into it. That is empowering.

 

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5 Steps to Help You Handle Criticism at Work

If you are like me and many others, you know how difficult it is to deal with criticism, whether in a private setting or in a larger group, for example at the workplace or an interview. Unfortunately, we often react negatively when it comes to both unjustified criticism as well as to constructive criticism that might be appropriate and might actually be helpful to us, make us aware of weaknesses or help us improve our skills. And yet it is difficult for us to deal with the emotions that any type of negative feedback can evoke. We feel uncomfortable, the heart begins to race and we automatically take a defensive position. Sometimes we may even get caught up and the criticism is translated as an attack that may lead to a counterattack on our part, instead of dealing with the criticism appropriately.

 

Is it possible to learn to accept tough criticism at work without taking it personally? We believe it’s a skill worth developing. Here are five healthy ways to deal with criticism at work or after an interview that will help take your career to the next level.

 

  1. Suppress Your First Reaction

It is best not to respond at the first sign of criticism. There is a scientific reason for that. Your brain may need a second to absorb and process the situation so that you can react to it accordingly. This first reaction that comes up is usually not always the best. Crossed arms, a dismissive expression, a snippy reply. You almost automatically go into a defensive stance. You should stop this first reaction and try to stay calm and  aware.

 

  1. Remember the Benefits of Criticism

By not responding negatively, you have signaled to your counterpart that you are open to criticism. You should spend the next few seconds consciously reminding yourself of the benefits of criticism. Good criticism is not simply thrown in your face. Constructive criticism helps you improve your skills and the quality of your work. Meaningful criticism will never make you feel like everything you’re doing is wrong. Criticism should always come across as a guidance that there is simply still room for improvement. It is also important that you separate the criticism from the person giving you feedback. It doesn’t have to come from your favorite colleague or mentor to be useful. 

 

  1. Listen Carefully to Understand

To avoid misunderstandings, listen carefully to understand exactly what the other person’s criticism is about. This includes giving him/her the opportunity to fully express their thoughts without interruptions. When the person is done, repeat what they told you and let them know that you want to be absolutely sure you understand what they said. Try to refrain from analyzing what you have heard or questioning it straight away. It is not only difficult to accept constructive criticism – it is also sometimes difficult to express it. The other person may not be able to find the right words or be nervous, so sometimes misunderstandings may happen. That is the reason why you should rather ask – instead of answering your counterpart by interpreting what they said.

 

  1. Say Thank You

This may be difficult for you, but you should definitely thank them for the feedback. A thank you does not automatically mean that you agree with their point of view, it shows respect for the person who took the time to give you feedback. When you say thank you, don’t overdo it: You don’t have to be overly apologetic when you thank them. Acknowledge their feedback and maintain a sincere attitude. This will ensure you show up with confidence even in a difficult situation. 

 

  1. See Criticism as Help

Remember that all constructive feedback (including negative feedback) is a sign of interest and a sign that people want to help you do better. It would be far worse for people to notice you doing bad work and not say a word. Now is the time to look into the feedback. Even if you don’t agree with every part of the feedback, don’t get caught up in the discussion. Acknowledge the parts that you can agree on and try to work on solutions. Ask for specific examples so that you can understand the other person’s point of view. It is always wise to also ask for suggestions and ideas in order to be able to approach the matter differently in the future.

 

Constructive criticism is a great way to identify and work on your own weaknesses. If you immediately take a defensive position, you may lose important feedback that could help you. 

The way we deal with negative feedback can either harm our career or accelerate it. Contact us and allow us to coach you through your next career step and offer you valuable feedback that will help you excel and stand out. 

 

Email: LynseyBrennan@esginc.com 

 

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How to Decode Company Culture During the Remote Interview Process?

When assessing whether or not a job is a good fit for you, there are a number of things you need to consider. You need a salary that matches your expectations, responsibilities that appeal to you, and a manager who you think you can work well with. But there is another important factor that carries a lot of weight: the corporate culture. The work environment has a major influence on the way you work and how satisfied you are in your new job. Understanding the corporate culture is important because you not only want to join a company in which you want to work, but also one in which you can thrive. Corporate culture is difficult to assess during the hiring process – and even more so when that hiring process takes place remotely.

What if all of your job interviews are video chats and you don’t meet anyone from the company in person or ever walk into the office? Is there a corporate culture at all if the employees don’t work side by side? Understanding corporate culture from a distance adds an additional layer of complexity to the hiring process. 

What should you look out for when assessing the company culture when you interview? Here are five tips to help you understand and evaluate the corporate culture before accepting a job offer – even if it’s unlikely that you will enter the office anytime soon.

  1. Visualize

You likely have a list of must-haves to look for in your next position. This includes not only the most important factors such as salary and social benefits, but also the values ​​that the company should prioritize and the cultural aspects that you agree with. This preparatory work is especially important if you are going through the application process remotely. 

Trying to understand every aspect of corporate culture through video chat and internet research alone may feel impossible. So if you focus on what is most important to you, you can check a few things off your list. Reduce your expectations to three non-negotiables. This allows you to focus on deciphering cultural clues related to your three most important values.

  1. Research

Once you know what specific cultural elements you want your new business to have, it’s time to do your research. A remote hiring process can leave you feeling disadvantaged, but it doesn’t have to be. You have numerous resources to understand the inner workings of the team and the atmosphere of a company. In addition, many of the research techniques you use during a “typical” hiring process are still applicable. 

You can browse online resources:

Website: Take a close look at the company’s website to understand how it describes its culture externally. 

Blog: The company may have posted relevant content that will allow you a behind-the-scenes look at the company.

Social media: Here you can assess the overall tone “the company” interacts with.

LinkedIn: Profiles on LinkedIn contain information from (former) employees who not only say a lot about their personal experiences, but also about the overarching cultural values ​​of the company.

Employee Reviews: Platforms on which previous, current, or potential employees post reviews can also highlight some elements of corporate culture. 

There is no shortage of resources to sift through. Make sure to take into account the non-negotiable items that you identified beforehand. You can even use keywords in your search to make this process even easier. Search a company’s reviews for keywords like “remote” or “values” to filter out the employee experience.

  1. Connect

Nobody has a better insight into the corporate culture than the employees who work or have worked there. When you get in touch with current and / or former team members, you get a look behind the scenes.

You can ask the person leading your hiring process if they can introduce you to some of the employees. They may be ready to answer a few questions about corporate culture for you. Not only does it show your interest in the company, but also that you are someone who takes initiative. If you’d rather not contact the hiring manager directly about this, you can use LinkedIn to search for current and former employees in the department you want to join. Network with these people and politely ask them if they would answer any questions you might have about the company.

  1. Ask

At the end of the interview, you should have the opportunity to ask questions. This is your chance to ask directly about the aspects that are most important to you. Don’t ask general questions like “tell me about your company culture”. For questions like this you will only be referred to some scripts and brochures. Instead, ask questions that give you a real feel for the environment and the people you may interact with on a regular basis. Return to the cultural qualities that you identified as important to you and address those specific traits. 

Remember, asking questions at the end of the interview isn’t just a chance for you to look good and demonstrate your commitment to the hiring process. It’s also a way to get valuable information that you need to make an informed decision about whether or not to work there.

  1. Observe

Ultimately, the hiring process should give you some insight into how the company treats not only its applicants, but its employees as well. How they approach the process can also be an indication of how they deal with all other matters.

Some things worth observing during the remote hiring process are:

Organization: When the hiring process is disorganized and full of misunderstandings and frustrations, work in the company can be the same. 

Communication: The interview process is also an opportunity to assess the company’s communication skills. What tools did you use? How did the communication with you come about? 

Work-life balance: Do you receive emails from a hiring manager in the middle of the night? Or at the weekend? This could be an indicator that their culture is not prioritizing downtime. Keep in mind, however, that one of the potential benefits of working remotely is control over your schedule, which means that employees may actually prefer to work at this time and appreciate that flexibility. 

Always keep in mind that the hiring process for a company is a direct reflection of their values ​​and approach to work. Understanding the company culture before actually working there is a challenge – especially if the hiring process or the job itself is remote. Because the company culture shapes so much of the employee experience – it is well worth the effort understanding it.

Are you still looking for a job? Here you can find our latest job opportunities.

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Consistency and Resilience – Key Factors For Career Success

In order to develop your full potential in the workplace, it takes consistent effort and often a good amount of resilience to get through the tough days or moments where things don’t go as anticipated. Being a successful employee requires more than just wanting to do our best. Sometimes difficult situations may come up and we need to dig deep and find ways to push though. In order to consistently show up as our best self, it may require looking at the big picture and having goals to focus on. 

 

Whether it’s a promotion, a raise, or the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, knowing the next step you want to take is important to become more consistent and resilient in the workplace. A good plan of action will help you have a successful career and focus on what truly matters. The following simple steps may not only help you to display consistency at work but may lead you to discover your full potential in the process. 

 

Know your strengths and weaknesses

It is important to identify areas that you can improve in the workplace. Knowing where your strengths lie and in which areas you need more time or support is important in order to become a more successful professional. Addressing your weaknesses one at a time can turn them into strengths. If you do the same with your strengths, you will be able to make better use of them in your career.

 

Organize your work

Becoming more organized and structuring your work flow are easy ways to reach your full potential and develop consistently good results in the workplace. Good organization will allow you to better prioritize your tasks, get more things done, and become more efficient. This will also allow you to respond better in situations where you receive unexpected assignments that have a deadline. Having structure and creating routines will make you more relaxed and happier at work.

 

Ask yourself “why” you are doing something

If you encounter challenging situations in the work environment it often helps if you just pause for five minutes and ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. You have to be able to visualize the long-term goal behind it. In the best case scenario, the end result is motivating and encourages you to continue working more effectively and with a renewed spirit.

 

Educate yourself continuously

Continuous learning is an essential part of our daily life. When we find we lack inspiration at work, we usually decide to change companies or roles. Continuous learning enables you to develop yourself as a person and in your profession. Take training courses, attend online events or webinars, and socialize with industry experts to motivate yourself and get through challenging times at work. All of these efforts will help you learn more about your area of ​​expertise and develop your professional identity and confidence.

 

Believe in yourself

The most important thing is that you believe in yourself. Oftentimes, employees think they don’t deserve a promotion or that they’re not ready for more responsibility. Having confidence in yourself is half the battle. Believing that you are able to do more in your position will encourage you to actively seek opportunities, be more motivated, and feel in control of your life. It is also important to note that we should strive to surround ourselves with hardworking and positive people, if possible. As humans, we react to our environment. In some situations, unreliable employees can negatively influence you and affect your quality and consistency of work, as well as your outlook on your career and life in general.

 

If you’re looking for more ways to advance in your career, browse through our informative articles on our blog page. These can help you develop and grow professionally. If you are looking for a new professional challenge, send us your resume.

 

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