Growth Mindset as an Adaptive Leader

Vince Lombardi once said, “One must not hesitate to innovate and change with the times. The leader who stands still is not progressing, and he will not remain a leader for long.”  As explained in the quote, being a leader is an evolving process that grows in tandem with our growth. In my experience as both an academic and a professional, I believe that leadership is less about control and authority and more about influence, adaptability, and cultivating a culture that enables others to grow and thrive. At the center of an effective leader is a growth mindset that believes that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, effort, and perseverance.  Embracing this mindset has helped me reflect deeply on the kind of leader I aspire to be and how I can utilize my leadership skills to adapt to the changes occurring in the educational world. Zig Ziglar correctly said, “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” This quote represents a growth mindset. 

 Sinek (2024) states that great leaders are continually learning. People are not born leaders; they learn to be leaders by taking care of others, demonstrating courage, accepting accountability, and communicating effectively with others. Great leaders build trust, have a shared vision, and empower their teams to succeed. 

As an educator with over a decade of experience, I have witnessed leaders who either encourage or stifle innovation. Sinek (2024) also explains that strong leaders encourage collaboration, are lifelong learners, and take calculated risks. They understand that change is the only constant and guide others through innovation with clarity, empathy, and courage.  

As I learn about different leadership styles, the one that resonates most with me is the adaptive leadership style. Adaptive leaders exhibit several key characteristics and actions, including embracing uncertainty and change, understanding complexity, encouraging experimentation and learning, and effectively identifying and addressing issues. They also focus on regulating distress, maintaining disciplined attention, empowering others, protecting diverse viewpoints, and leading with purpose and promoting equity. Emotional intelligence and empathy are also vital in building support networks and embedding adaptive leadership into the organizational culture. 

I aspire to be an empathetic leader, constantly learning, and to lead with purpose. I want to inspire others by asking the right questions, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. Our world is in a constant flux, and as an adaptive leader, I value resilience, learning, and shared responsibility, which are crucial for leading in the digital age. 

Adaptive leadership is crucial for effective integration of technology. Digital tools have helped open up new possibilities for individualizing learning and increasing student engagement. However, to take advantage of these possibilities, administrators, teachers, students, and parents must significantly change their mindset. 

As an adaptive leader with a growth mindset, I understand that technology is not a one-size-fits-all tool. I recommend experimenting with different platforms and apps before implementing them universally. I would lead by example, experiment first, and understand how it would impact others. This would lead to an open dialogue about successes and struggles with the tech, encouraging collaborative problem-solving. 

My focus would be on the people side of the implementation. Change can be challenging, and some team members may also be opposed to it. As a leader, it would be my job to listen to their struggles and then encourage and support them so that they too are willing to try and implement the tech. When teams feel valued and heard, they are more likely to exceed their responsibilities.  

Creating a culture of continuous learning is crucial for leaders with a growth mindset. Everyone in a school building, from administrators to students, needs a safe environment that fosters improvement, encourages self-reflection, and promotes taking risks, as noted by Landry (2018). As a leader, I will encourage curiosity, perseverance, and believe that everyone can become effective with time, effort, and encouragement. When everyone shares the same vision, any goals can be achieved. 

Education is changing rapidly. To sustain this change, one needs to be adaptable, possess humility and integrity, and have a commitment to growth. By embracing both a growth mindset and an adaptive leadership style, I will be better equipped to face the changes in the educational landscape. My goal is to encourage and empower others to embrace the change and leverage technology to enhance learning for everyone.  As President John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

References

Sinek, S. (2024, Jan. 24). The key to effective leadership. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Tko2rKwVs

Landry, L. (2018, Oct. 4), 6 Characteristics of an effective leader. Harvard Business School. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/characteristics-of-an-effective-leader