Today we want to share with you some thoughts about something big that, as a leadership development firm that’s been coaching clients and organizations since 1960, we’ve found to be true.

Some of the very best leaders—not just the worst—often struggle with something that gets in the way of their ability to get consistent results. It’s really got nothing to do with what’s happening around them, but what’s within them, specifically their ability to develop and sustain a growth mindset.

You may have heard us talk about disciplined leaders before. Disciplined Leaders are those that consistently excel at using the right actions to achieve results. But before taking any actions, they’ve got to have that right mindset. And by “right,” we mean the growth mindset.

A growth mindset consistently asks and builds focus around this one big question: What’s the goal? Knowing the goal, and making sure what you think and what you do support that goal, is essential. Without a goal, you’re steering a ship aimlessly. It’s the fastest way to get nowhere. And interestingly, even though leaders may have identified their vital goals, we frequently find that they’ve lost focus on that mark. The growth mindset determines and keeps vital goals in mind.

A growth mindset doesn’t think like a victim. Part of the responsibility of leading the self, your teams and the organization at large, is learning, practicing and reflecting a mindset that takes ownership of shortcomings, setbacks and even outright failures. With that mindset, you can then take action around problem-solving in ways that don’t push blame elsewhere but put energy into what can be controlled and how to make a situation better, no matter how rotten it is.

A growth mindset embraces (no surprise!) growth. Leadership development is an ongoing journey, one that doesn’t just start and end with a book, an inspiring one-off workshop, or a month-long program. Real leadership development recognizes that it’s a day-in, day-out, lifelong opportunity that consistently brings in the right resources, tools, education and accountability system, all of which collectively push your mindset, skillset and activities to fuel and sustain results.

At MAP, customized leadership development is what we do, helping leaders build that growth mindset so they can reach their full potential, focus on what’s vital, and take their organization to greater levels of success. Ready to get that growth mindset? Contact MAP today!