Fixed mindset — > Growth mindset Leadership in UX
Shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset
I used to have a fixed mindset: I was very competitive and always wanted to be a winner. The success of others made me feel insecure, disappointed and stressed.
I have to be the best.
But “ the best” is not a true standard. It depends on who you compare to.
Would you prefer to be the best among the worst or the worst among the best?
Why even compare?
I liked to be a leader to feed my ego and be validated by others. However, over time, I realized that being just a leader doesn’t serve any meaningful purpose.
I didn’t want to limit myself by comparing myself to other people. I wanted to grow and be better than yesterday me.
Focus on your own growth
Did you worry that you made a mistake? Analyze it and learn from that experience! A bad experience is still an experience.
There is so much room for growth and you’ll realize it by connecting with people better than you. Don’t be jealous, learn from them. New people are your source of information!
It’s important to use every tool you have, and luckily, you have the power to use things you found threatening before to your advantage.
It takes time to obtain a growth mindset but try rationally acknowledge all your weak points. This will help you to understand the areas you need to improve and set goals.
Important: Stay positive!
Don’t get disappointed in yourself. Consider it as an iterative process. In UX, you often fail, iterate and improve — get used to this process of becoming better.
Leadership in teams — how does it work?
Often, when you work in a team, it’s not about an individual, it’s about supporting your team in reaching goals and becoming successful as a cohesive group.
What about leadership? Isn’t it about being a leader?
But who said there has to be only one leader?
Each person is welcome to take the initiative. The best way is to share responsibilities, and let one person lead one specific part.
Different perceptions help different people to view the same things from different angles. This practice helps to broaden horizons.
During the process, you constantly diverge and converge, which means that you ideate separately but make decisions together.
UX double diamond is a perfect example.
I’m currently working on a project as a Project Manager in a team of three. Something works, something doesn’t, but it’s important to hear each other and accept ideas generated by other team members.
Again, it’s about your team. And when you’ll show your care about others’ growth, only then people will see you as a true leader.
P.S. I’ll keep you up on my project.
Thank you for your time!
Happy UX Designing!
Nastya Kvak
