Mindset Matters

"How do we not only withstand the whirlwind of change but also find ways to thrive in it?" Gemma Leigh Roberts challenges us to develop mental agility to face the ever-evolving demands of the modern world.

1. Build Resilience to Navigate Constant Change

The ability to bounce back from challenges has never been more important in a world dominated by disruptions. Resilience, as the first pillar of an agile mindset, equips you to face unpredictable work landscapes with confidence, adaptability, and expertise.

Reflecting on confidence, people manage change better when they believe in their ability to overcome challenges. For instance, Spotify adjusted its business model during the pandemic, showing belief in its capacity to resolve a crisis by venturing into original content and podcast deals. Adaptability, the second part of resilience, involves embracing feedback and repurposing missteps as stepping stones. Elon Musk exemplifies this by constantly refining projects based on feedback, adapting his approach to create innovative solutions.

Lastly, developing expertise allows you to stay grounded during difficulties. A good example is Lego’s remarkable recovery in the early 2000s when it faced financial hardship. Its leadership revisited core principles, like understanding children's play habits, which helped reestablish its global success.

Examples

• Spotify’s pivot to content production during the pandemic.
• Elon Musk’s focus on learning from feedback and improving outcomes.
• Lego's return to basics during its financial recovery.

2. Cultivate Mental Agility for Uncertainty

Mental flexibility helps you switch effortlessly between ideas, conversations, and solutions, turning uncertainty into opportunities. Developing mental agility sharpens your ability to adapt and excel in changing environments.

To nurture mental agility, start by fully grasping the value of adaptation. It's not about knowing everything instantly but about staying open to shifts. Steve Jobs demonstrated this when, after his dismissal from Apple, he founded NeXT and eventually returned to lead Apple to new heights. Moreover, embracing failure reconfigures it into a learning tool rather than a roadblock. Every setback becomes a stepping stone for growth.

For further guidance, think about the ABCDE model used to reframe challenges into productive actions. Michael Jordan applied this model after not making his high-school basketball team, using rejection as motivation for rigorous self-improvement.

Examples

• Steve Jobs launching NeXT after being fired from Apple.
• Viewing failures as learning experiences in professional contexts.
• Michael Jordan’s use of the ABCDE model to overcome career setbacks.

3. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Your mindset can turn obstacles into stepping stones. A growth mindset means seeing failures as opportunities to improve rather than confirmation of your limitations. Its power lies in believing your abilities can evolve with effort.

Carol Dweck’s concept becomes particularly useful when facing setbacks. For instance, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella transformed the company into an innovation leader by fostering a "learn-it-all" culture. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos emphasizes that talent isn’t fixed. Instead, it's essential to celebrate effort and commitment to personal growth.

If you see challenges as learning opportunities, the road ahead becomes less daunting. Growth is not about innate ability—it’s about fostering strength, learning diligently, and constantly building on your skills.

Examples

• Carol Dweck’s growth mindset framework supporting career progression.
• Satya Nadella’s shift of Microsoft’s culture to prioritize continuous development.
• Jeff Bezos’s advice to value effort and learning over innate skills.

4. Grow Emotional Intelligence for Stronger Connections

Emotional intelligence is a critical toolkit for effective communication and self-awareness in the workplace. Understanding emotional cues allows you to build stronger relationships and navigate emotionally charged situations effectively.

Start with self-awareness. For example, Avon’s CEO, Andrea Jung, emphasizes the importance of understanding her emotional state to make better decisions. Following this, emotional intelligence includes self-management, which involves pausing to respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. Lastly, social awareness helps you interpret nonverbal cues and align with others emotionally, fostering stronger team dynamics.

Mastering emotional intelligence enables you to turn workplace interactions into collaborative opportunities, and it ensures that decisions are built on empathy and trust.

Examples

• Andrea Jung’s emphasis on self-reflection for better decision-making.
• Learning to pause and respond rather than react impulsively in tense situations.
• Using social awareness to address team needs and build rapport.

5. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone

Failing is inevitable, but interpreting it as a learning event rather than a catastrophe changes everything. Failure allows you to reassess, rebuild, and grow better.

Steve Jobs didn’t let being fired from Apple stop him. His next venture, NeXT, paved the way for Apple’s renaissance under his leadership. Similarly, Michael Jordan used his high-school rejection as fuel for rigorous improvement, eventually becoming one of basketball's greatest players.

Failure is a pause, not an endpoint. By approaching failure constructively, you learn valuable lessons that help you move forward with newfound knowledge and confidence.

Examples

• Steve Jobs's reinvention through NeXT after leaving Apple.
• Michael Jordan’s career turnaround after not making his team.
• Viewing rejection in the workplace as an opportunity to refine skills.

6. Strengthen Relationships with Workplace Bonds

Connecting with colleagues fosters engagement, innovation, and shared purpose. Strong workplace ties enhance teamwork and create psychological safety for open, creative dialogue.

Prioritize meaningful relationships at work. For example, Great Place to Work found that camaraderie leads to higher motivation. Companies like Bento for Business reflect this; their leaders emphasize openness, mentorship, and connection to inspire professional growth.

Healthy relationships are crucial in dynamic environments. When everyone feels supported and heard, bold ideas thrive even amid uncertainty.

Examples

• Findings from Great Place to Work on camaraderie and motivation.
• Personal mentorship culture at Bento for Business.
• Encouraging open collaborations that foster creative breakthroughs.

7. Learn to Manage Emotional Reactions

In moments of stress, emotional intelligence ensures that you pause, assess, and act thoughtfully. Responding instead of reacting is a skill that transforms problems into solutions.

Andrea Jung stands as a model of emotional control in challenging corporate scenarios. She takes time to reflect on how her choices impact others. This deliberate approach not only enhances personal productivity but also strengthens team dynamics.

When you master your reactions, you can regulate your mood and enhance work relationships, creating a more supportive professional environment.

Examples

• Practicing self-regulation for better decision-making.
• Teams reflecting thoughtfully after conflicts to learn from outcomes.
• Turning tense situations into opportunities for thoughtful improvement.

8. Shift from Fixed Roles to Holistic Growth

Instead of sticking rigidly to defined tasks, expanding your skills across areas elevates your ability to adapt. Versatility helps you meet evolving workplace needs.

Look to Workday, where leaders acknowledge skills beyond their defined roles to deepen collaboration. At Bento, leaders serve as both managers and mentors, connecting across departments. Such practices encourage holistic growth for both individuals and teams, building resilience in competitive industries.

When roles become fluid, teams are more adaptable and effective, ready to tackle new challenges together.

Examples

• Workday’s focus on cross-departmental collaboration.
• Leaders doubling as mentors at Bento for Business.
• Employees embracing diverse responsibilities to meet new demands.

9. Find Strength in Solid Teams

Thriving amid challenges often depends on the team’s overall reliability and shared purpose. Building meaningful professional connections ensures that everyone is set up for success.

Connection stems from effective communication, mutual support, and shared goals. At Workday, the focus on collaboration across social networks leads to innovation and smooth information exchange. Meanwhile, Bento integrates interpersonal stories and mentoring as the backbone of its employee culture.

When the team thrives, individuals are better equipped to succeed during uncertainty.

Examples

• Workday’s emphasis on social collaboration.
• Mentorship programs creating community at Bento for Business.
• Leaders inspiring vision and trust during organizational shifts.

Takeaways

1. Begin by developing your emotional intelligence—pause before reacting, assess your emotions, and use feedback to improve workplace interactions.
2. Practice adopting a growth mindset in career setbacks. Look for lessons and opportunities instead of giving in to self-doubt.
3. Strengthen your workplace connections by fostering mutual trust, collaboration, and shared goals that lead to innovative teamwork and psychological safety.