I just finished writing a book about the next most important skills, and if I had to pick one skill that underpins all the other skills in the book – it’s intelligence. which I think everyone should feed on – that’s the experience. In our ever-changing world, a willingness to learn new things is essential to success.
The power of imagination: how curiosity and humility can lead to business success
As Sir Ken Robinson, a leading figure in education, said, “Curiosity is the engine of success.” In other words, it is a natural driving force that propels us forward to success and personal fulfillment. Where would we end up without that natural driving force? Stuck in danger, maybe. Boring, no doubt. It is caused by changes in our business and industry, of course. For this reason alone, we all have a right to think.
In my book, I talk about two things that fuel curiosity: humility and a growth mindset. Let’s briefly explore both factors – why they are important for sustainability and how you can improve these areas.
The importance of humility
Humility – pride, pride and arrogance – is the center of the quest because it tells us that we don’t know everything there is to know. Humility is often associated with a lack of confidence or self-belief when in fact, the opposite is true. The humble know their strengths and weaknesses; They do not seek to hide their weakness. This inner confidence is why the humble person has no fear of looking stupid or asking “stupid” questions – that’s what growth is all about.
There are many ways you can do your homework:
· Be honest with yourself. Think carefully about your weaknesses and strengths. Accept your mistakes and take responsibility without relying on excuses. These mistakes or weaknesses show where you can grow.
· Practice acceptance. Although you want to be honest about your shortcomings, don’t be too hard on yourself. Try to look at yourself without criticism and negativity – accept yourself as you are, the first step in learning to become better as possible from
· Practice active listening. Inviting ideas and listening carefully to what others have to say is an important aspect of humility. But listen with an open mind. Leave your thoughts or preconceptions at the door.
· Know when you need help, and ask for it. Likewise, don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room.
· Be comfortable with ambiguity. Admitting that you need help, have failed at something, or don’t know how to do something can be comforting. Like any kind of change. Try to “live with” these feelings as they arise rather than rushing to fix or remove them.
The growth mindset
Psychologist Carol Dweck coined the term “growth mindset” in her groundbreaking book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Dweck says that success doesn’t come from intelligence, talent, or education — it comes from having the right mindset. Indeed, a growth mindset. This is supported by his years of research that shows that students’ attitudes – namely, their attitude towards failure and failure – have a significant impact on their success.
Someone with a growth mindset believes they can grow, improve and learn. They see obstacles or setbacks as an opportunity to grow. And most importantly, they believe that, although each person has different characteristics and characteristics, success comes from continuous personal development and continuous learning. This is different from the one with the determination, who believed they were limited by fixed features and capabilities that could not be changed or improved. Basically, with a fixed mindset, you either have it or you don’t. But with the development of the mind, basic skills can be developed with hard work.
How can you foster a growth mindset?
· If you haven’t, read Carol Dweck’s book Thoughtfulness. Then think about where you are now in the growth mindset vs. fixed mindset spectrum.
· Try to see challenges and failures as opportunities for self-development. It can help to think about a past challenge you faced and how it led you to become stronger or better at something. After all, every athlete who wins a gold medal has no doubt had their fair share of injuries, losses, and setbacks along the way.
· Praise yourself for hard work. A growth mindset takes more effort and hard work than natural talent, so if you’ve worked hard at something – even if it hasn’t been entirely successful – give yourself a pat on the back or physical reward.
· Embrace the power of “YET,” as in “I don’t know how to do this YET.” With a lot of practice, you can learn to achieve everything.
· Watch how you talk about other people’s talents and adjust your speech accordingly. For example, instead of saying, “He’s good at that,” you could say, “He’s worked hard to develop that skill.”
· Be realistic. Learning a new skill requires a lot of hard work and patience. And that’s good. Connecting to travel is part of the growth mindset.
Read more about research and other important skills in my new book, Future Skills: 20 Skills and Skills Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World. Written for anyone who wants to surf the wave of digital transformation – before being killed by it – the book explores why these important future skills are needed and how to develop them.