Growth Mindset: A Non-Negotiable Differentiator Every Candidate Must Possess

By Moon Harper

Apr 22, 2024 05:39 AM EDT

Growth Mindset in The Workplace — (Photo : Unsplash/Amy Hirschi )

Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn's vice president and workforce expert, says a growth mindset is as important as a Harvard degree in today's evolving business landscape.

What Is A Growth Mindset?

As psychologist Carol Dweck coined, a growth mindset is a belief that new and differing experiences enhance abilities, talents, and knowledge through continuous learning. This mindset may also be crucial for young professionals who may eventually fill non-existent roles, such as chief growth officer and sustainability analyst.

Shekhinah Bass, Goldman Sachs' head of talent strategy, previously advised CNBC Make It that developing a growth mindset entails setting challenging goals, taking risks, and actively seeking feedback and coaching from others.

What are Soft Skills?

While soft skills can be difficult to measure and challenging to teach on the job, possessing them can distinguish you as an employee. According to LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends report, 92% of hiring professionals believe that soft skills are even more important than hard skills.

You Look for Innovative Solutions

According to reports from LinkedIn and the World Economic Forum, creativity ranks among the top soft skills needed by companies. Creative individuals employ techniques like lateral thinking, which involves exploring unconventional options, and divergent thinking, which generates numerous ideas quickly. Employers value these skills for problem-solving and innovation, enabling companies to navigate challenges and pursue new opportunities.

You Follow Through

It is not just about having creative ideas; you also need the focus and drive to execute them. Many employees excel at brainstorming but struggle to follow through on their plans. A valuable worker can balance creativity and commitment, staying on track and delivering results. According to career expert Michelle Tillis Lederman, a reliable and trustworthy employee follows up and follow through on their obligations to ensure they do what they say they will do.

You Are A Critical Thinker

Employers seek candidates with creative thinking, critical thinking, and observational skills in today's fast-paced, information-saturated culture. In Cengage's survey, 67% of employers ranked critical thinking as the fourth most important skill, and The World Economic Forum ranked it second. However, despite 59% of recent graduates expressing confidence in their critical thinking abilities in MindEdge Learning's survey, over half failed a quiz designed to assess these skills.

You Are Emotionally Intelligent

Emotional intelligence (EQ) involves being self-aware of your own emotions and those of others, which, according to Lederman, differentiates an average performer from a star performer. While technical skills can be learned, mastering interpersonal skills necessary for navigating diverse environments is more challenging. Lederman emphasizes that creating productive work relationships is crucial for success and happiness in the workplace.

You Have Integrity

Integrity is honesty, ethics, and consistently doing what is right, even in demanding situations. Employers highly value integrity because it demonstrates that they can trust you to uphold the company's goals and values, even when no one is watching.