3 things to Talk About this week

If you’re a new Talk About Talk newsletter subscriber – WELCOME! If you’re a long-time subscriber, you’ll notice here that I’m trying something new. Each week, I’m going to share THREE THINGS with you. (Yes, “The Power of 3 “!)

My goal is to provide a brief summary of three different things that will inform and/or inspire you to improve your communication skills.

Here goes…

3 things to Talk About this week:

1️⃣ Adopting a growth mindset
2️⃣ The “F” word (no, not that F-word!)
3️⃣ A book recommendation

#1 Adopting a Growth Mindset

People often ask me what I think the most important communication skill is for managers. Originally, my answer was listening. Then I focused on what I called “the 3 communication superpowers“: listening, confidence & storytelling.

These days, when I think of my most successful clients, they all have one very important thing in common: a GROWTH MINDSET.

Talk About Talk #123 - Adopting a Growth Mindset - image of Dr. Andrea Wojnicki with the text, "If I had to choose one thing that will help us with our communication - with LIFE, it's that we should adopt a growth mindset."

As psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck explains, people with a growth mindset are curious, invested in self-improvement, and aren’t afraid of taking risks.

Unlike those with a fixed mindset, they don’t perceive their skills and abilities to be predestined. They are focused on learning and working at what they want to do, as opposed to doing only the things that come easy.

It turns out there are many significant benefits to adopting a growth mindset. According to research, positive effects include increased motivation; lower stress, anxiety and depression; better relationships and improved performance.If you’re reading this newsletter, my guess is that you have a growth mindset. If you’d like to learn more about how to cultivate this superpower, please listen to this week’s Talk About Talk podcast episode, “Adopting a Growth Mindset.” Enjoy!

#2 The F Word

The F word I’m talking about is FAILURE, something that we’ll all experience at some point, and something that I think we need to seriously re-evaluate.

Take Steve Jobs, Sara Blakely, and Jeff Bezos, three extremely successful entrepreneurs who all failed before achieving success. I’ve heard Spanx billionaire Sara Blakely tell the story a few times of how her father used to ask her, “what did you fail at this week?” Then, he would celebrate her failures. (More here.)

Here’s your challenge. Re-frame failure. Failure is not a dirty word. Instead, failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Talk About Talk #123 - Adopting a Growth Mindset - image with the text "failure, try, success" image by faithiecannoise via Canva

This is consistent with a GROWTH MINDSET.

When faced with a setback, someone with a fixed mindset might say, “I guess I’m not cut out for this.” But someone with a growth mindset will use it as a chance to gather information. They might ask, “What can I try differently? How can I improve for next time?”

Talk About Talk #123 - Adopting a Growth Mindset - "If you don't succeed at first, there's no need for the F-word (Failure). Pick yourself up, and try, try again." -Richard Branson

#3 Recommended Reading: Grit by Angela Duckworth

If you haven’t read it already, I recommend Grit by psychology professor and MacArthur Fellow Angela Duckworth. In Grit, Duckworth shows that the secret to success is not talent, but a combination of persistence and passion.

I also recommend visiting Duckworth’s website, where you can watch her Ted Talk and see where you fall on the Grit Scale.

There you go – 3 things to Talk About this week! The power of a growth mindset, the “F word (“failure“!), and a book recommendation – Grit.What do you think of this new newsletter format? If you have any questions or feedback, please email me or message me on LinkedIn. I love hearing from you.

Talk soon,