Three reasons why recruitment leaders need a growth mindset  

Recruitment is a dynamic field that requires recruiters to be adaptable, resilient and open to expanding their knowledge. As recruitment leaders are at the forefront of shaping workplace culture, it can greatly benefit leaders and their teams to adopt a growth mindset. But what does this mean, and how can you achieve this? 

Our latest post will explain what a growth mindset is and how to adopt this approach to level-up your leadership game in the recruitment market. 

What is a Growth Mindset? 

A growth mindset is defined as the belief that talents and abilities can be developed through dedication, effort and learning. Put simply, a growth mindset is a way of using the information around you in a way that will help you to grow. There are often two types of leaders in the workplace – those who are dedicated to evolving and those who are less open to change. This comes from psychologist Dr Carol Dweck’s work on human motivation, which explores two ideas, that intelligence can be developed (growth) or unchanged (fixed mindset). 

A growth mindset is all about having a positive and open attitude towards learning and viewing challenges as growth opportunities. Individuals with a growth mindset strive to overcome obstacles and persist when faced with setbacks, learn from criticism and gain inspiration from others’ success.  

How do we achieve a Growth Mindset? 

The journey to a growth mindset begins with acknowledging that we all have both mindsets. The next stage is to become aware of these fixed mindset triggers, such as criticism or tight deadlines, so we can gradually learn to remain in a growth-mindset phase even when faced with challenges. 

Our team of recruitment and leadership experts have put together some ways you can adopt a growth mindset within your team: 

1. Developing self-awareness 

Personal development 

Seeing your limitations as opportunities for growth and improvement is a central part of achieving a Growth Mindset. Recruiters should take an honest look at strengths and weaknesses within their leadership approach and focus on areas which may need improvement. For example, areas of improvement could involve time management, emotional intelligence or communication skills. With training or additional resources to support you in these areas, you can boost your leadership abilities and build a better working environment for your colleagues. 

The power of positivity 

Adopting a positive attitude towards learning and development is crucial for growth and to thrive as a leader in the recruitment industry. Positive leadership teams set the tone for a collaborative work environment and celebrate the efforts and achievements of their teams. This positive workplace culture, in turn, not only enhances employee engagement but contributes to a workplace where employees are motivated to work productively and attract the best talent for their clients. 

Resilience 

It is no secret that there can be tough times in recruitment, for example when job roles remain unfulfilled for long periods of time or when faced with rejection. When dealing with these setbacks, recruitment professionals should maintain their motivation and keep their goals in mind. Staying focused on the positive aspects of their work, whether that be helping people to find careers and supporting team members, is key to getting through challenges and to keep pushing forward for success. 

2. Expanding your knowledge 

Seeking feedback and learning from it 

One of the most important aspects of being a successful leader and recruitment professional is being open to feedback and actively seeking input from others. By reflecting on feedback, recruitment professionals can refine their techniques and incorporate it into daily practice. Teams which adopt a growth mindset are more open to collaboration and constructive feedback, which in turn boosts overall communication within the organisation, improving decision-making and recruitment strategies. 

Keeping updated on industry trends 

Leaders should be in-the-know about industry trends and best practices, emerging technologies and digital transformation. This allows them to make informed decisions and adapt strategies to keep pace with a rapidly changing environment. A growth mindset fosters a culture of continuous learning and evolving. 

Harnessing innovation 

Utilising innovation and creativity within the workplace can be a key driver of success. Embracing the belief that new skills can be developed and encouraging colleagues to think outside of the box is essential to promote a culture of innovation. 

It is important to ensure employees feel able to bring new ideas to the table without pressure or fear of failure. After all, risk-taking is a part of business growth, and if there are mistakes made along the way, it’s good to bear in mind that this is not always a negative and can bring new opportunities for learning and improvement for leaders and their teams. 

3. Effective investment in talent development 

Investing in training and development for yourself as a leader and your team is a vital part of the shift from a static to growth mindset. Leadership development programmes often prioritise the development of a growth mindset among aspiring and existing leaders. Investing in leadership training can have a big impact on your performance as a leader, with the chance to boost your skillset, develop your leadership approach and learn from like-minded peers.  

Last thoughts 

We know that change sometimes isn’t easy, but even taking the steps to learn about the growth mindset can start to shift your way of thinking. Working on yourself as a leader will not only shape your professional career, but it will also boost your team morale and help to create a more positive working environment. 

Our Fast-Track Level 5 Leadership programme offers directors, middle and senior leaders different techniques to help you to achieve a growth mindset and develop the strategic skills required to better support your teams and drive ambitious performance.  

We have limited spaces left for our October intake, book here: CMI Level 5 Advanced Leadership Programme - October 2024