Learning is at the heart of entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurs are continuous learners. Not only do successful entrepreneurs know how to learn, they know what to learn, and they organize their work/life schedule so they have time to learn. Well, they make the time to learn. There are lots of blogs and articles written, as well as videos and podcasts produced, about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. They talk about great teams, innovative products and services, compelling market opportunities, hard work, passion, imagination, timing, luck, and so many other notable aspects of what it takes to be successful. I think we can all agree — the point is that in business today, change is constant, and to keep up with change, we need to keep learning.
 

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

A book that had a profound effect on my leadership style is titled, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D. The book is an inquiry into the power of our beliefs, both conscious and unconscious, and how changing even the simplest of them can have a tremendous impact on nearly every aspect of our lives.

According to Dweck, a Fixed Mindset describes people who see their qualities as fixed traits that cannot change. With a fixed mindset, talent is enough to lead to success and effort to improve these talents isn’t required: one is born with a certain amount of skill and intelligence that can’t be improved upon.  

Dweck describes a growth mindset as “people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”

A culture of continuous learning or Growth Mindset is vital to an organization that strives to be innovative. Knowledge is the breeding ground for new ideas, and the learning that produces knowledge is what keeps our minds agile enough to create innovative and disruptive solutions.

Today’s business world moves much faster than it did 20 years ago. Businesses must be nimble, able to adapt, pivot, and grow into new market spaces if they hope to survive. Employees who are learning new technologies and solutions are the employees who will help solve the problems a business doesn’t even know it has. Knowledgeable employees make a business flexible.
 

Continuous learning through Landscape Ontario

The team here at Landscape Ontario has been working around the clock to build a vast selection of professional development opportunities for the growth minded entrepreneurs within our community. This year, of course, is much different than previous years. We, like everyone, had to adapt and embrace the delivery of education virtually. Through Congress Connect and the Landscape Ontario Professional Development Series, we are gearing up to offer over 80 virtual learning opportunities through the winter and into the spring. The Congress Connect conference sessions will be available on-demand all year long.

Let’s all embrace a growth mindset and invest in our personal and professional development over the winter months. Let’s empower the amazing people on our teams to invest in their own personal and professional development.

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