Ideally, we want to hire the smartest applicant who also has the right attitude. However, if we would need to choose one among two, I will choose the person with the right attitude.
Intelligence is important, but attitude is everything
Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, conducting research on the link between attitude and performance, found that people develop one of two types of core mindsets: fixed and growth.
When challenges arise, people with a fixed mindset become hopeless and overwhelmed, not believing they’re capable of solving the problem in front of them. On the other hand, people with a growth mindset embrace challenges, viewing them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Fostering Growth
While your HR team can focus on recruiting the most resilient candidates, fostering a growth mindset among existing employees begins with effective management. Employers hoping to encourage high employee performance and perseverance in the face of challenges should focus on fostering positive engagement and collaboration in the workplace.