Work in Progresses: Mindset and Growth

When I first came across this type of material I was 19 and attending a course through work. I’ll be honest – I was sceptical. At the time it was too abstract, it seemed unrealistic. The facilitator made it feel life changing. In hindsight it is life changing, I just wasn’t ready to believe it. I either couldn’t see the value in going deeper into my emotions, or I didn’t know how. That meant I only got surface-level results, only really questioning the task at hand and never questioning my mindset. However, one thing I did take from it is learning how to reflect, a skill I had never practised before.

Still, something stuck. That was my first introduction into reflection and gave me the opportunity to practise this skill. There’s even a running joke at work about how unrealistic I felt the course was – but I needed that reaction. It started my journey to where I am today. It started the transition from sceptic to believer.

The real shift in thinking came about when I moved into the L&D team around 2 years ago. Their knowledge in the material was on another level, it was deep and well practised. It meant they talked about the material daily, which gave me continuous and gradual exposure to it. This wore down my scepticism. Over time, something clicked.

One key moment for me along this journey was seeing how highly my team spoke of the material. They had adopted a ‘go there first’ approach. Something which is really important when introducing this type of material. I saw my boss and his boss speak so highly of the impact this material can bring. That humanised them, removed the hierarchy and allowed me to go there with them on that journey. This wasn’t just fluffy concepts, it was real-life examples and difficult conversations. This stuff was hard core – but so was the value back.

I started to get more involved in these conversations. One concept that stood out to me early on was the Ladder of Inference, from The Fifth Discipline Field Guide (more on this later). It’s a way of visualising how we move from what we observe to the assumptions we make. We go up our ladder multiple times a day. So it is important to understand how those assumptions shape our actions.

I used the Ladder of Inference to break down a feeling I had around one of the managers in the business. This feeling was jam-packed with assumptions, none of which I had tested. I had jumped straight to the top of the ladder. I assumed this person had a strong dislike of me. But, when I worked it through, I realised something important. I lacked relationship with this person. Why would they approach me? They were introverted and had better relationships with others in my team. It was a powerful moment that gave me a new sense of control over my thinking and my part in the dynamic.

Today, I continue to apply what I’m learning. What’s changed most is my willingness to sit with discomfort. This kind of material challenges you, and the best way to grow through it is by trying, failing, and reflecting.

I used to avoid that feeling – now I look for it, because I know that’s where the real learning happens. If this feels like you, come along on my journey! You don’t need to have it all figured out, just be willing to start.

I’m still learning, still growing, and still very much a work in progress – and that’s exactly where I want to be. If you’re on your own mindset journey, stick around – there’s more to come, and we’re all learning together.