Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (Duckworth, 2016)
As leaders we learn that it takes more than talent and intelligence to succeed. It takes effort, sustained by grit, to gain deeper understanding and to hone your natural talents into tangible skills through practice and improvement. You can develop grit (a combination of passion and perseverance) when exploring different interests before focusing on one area. You achieve success when you apply your skills by putting in effort to solve real-time problems.
Grit is developed by: 1) having an interest in what you do; 2) Engaging in practice (focused on improvement); 3) believing strongly that your work has a purpose and matters to you and others; and 4) having hope that you can work things out and overcome your challenges. As leaders, we learn and deliberately practice new skills. We define our purpose as leaders to contribute to the well-being of our staff and patients. We have a growth mindset and hope that our efforts can improve our future, and we have the strength to get up and keep going each time we fall. The book's main premise is that grit is vital to the psychology of success and can be developed over time.
How the Pandemic Changed Leadership (Simon Sinek, May 26, 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKw5p1J29m8)
In this interview, best-selling author Simon Sinek discusses the differences between an infinite and a finite mindset. Finite games have a fixed number of players and clearly defined and unchangeable rules. They're in it to win it, and there are clear winners and losers. When a finite-minded leader leads in an infinite environment, it results in many issues: most noticeably, a decline in trust, cooperation, and innovation.
Conversely, with an infinite mindset, there are changeable players and rules. It's also based on boundless thinking and flexibility, because it allows people to play for the good and love of the game, not a trophy. Leading with an infinite mindset facilitates flexibility. In applying this concept as a leader, you have to put aside your ego and understand that you're part of something bigger. You constantly seek ways to grow and leave a legacy, not win.
Sinek stresses that infinite-minded leaders need to continually raise their knowledge, skills, leadership, and more. They view failures as opportunities to grow, and mistakes significantly contribute to their lifelong learning journey. They seek cooperation to multiply development and success opportunities. They put common goals above their own individual goals, are forward-looking, and inspire others to pick up the torch and continue their legacy. From an infinite mindset, leaders foster growth among others.
Sinek recounts stories illustrating how opportunities are valuable to strengthen one's weaknesses, and rivals are the catalyst for growth. Playing the infinite game requires self-awareness and the courage to take risks and make right, tough decisions.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Dweck, 2007)
Ever wonder why some people fall apart in the face of setbacks while others turn their failures into successes? How you see yourself-your mindset-shapes how you respond to people and events and affects your outcomes. Drawing on 20 years of research, Dr. Dweck describes how you can recognize, understand, and change your mindset from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset to impact all aspects of your life. A fixed mindset is the belief that your qualities can't be changed, leading to a need to constantly prove yourself. Conversely, a growth mindset is the belief that your qualities can be changed, and you can grow through experience and practice.
This book focuses on being aware of the two types of mindsets and their impact. Understanding the differences in these mindsets can potentially influence a person to alter their mindset. The stories in the book illustrate the impact of the two types of mindsets, and how you can choose to actively change your mindset. The book contains resources, examples, anecdotes (including how the ideas in the book have helped readers), and case studies that discuss the thoughts and emotions a person would experience with a fixed mindset as opposed to a growth mindset.
This book provides practical information to help you achieve in school, science, work, and life. It can help you change your thoughts, beliefs, and mindset so you can achieve success.