Book Reviews
Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.
If there’s been any year where a “positive mindset” is super important, maybe essential for chugging along, this is the year for it. But that’s not what this book is about. While I’ve never actually written out a “Best Development and Life-Changing” books list, if I did, Mindset by Carol Dweck would certainly be near the top. I first read this book during a graduate school practicum with our university’s honors program. I had selected this practicum experience because the new director was doing a complete overhaul of the program and I really believed in his vision for student development and growth. He assigned Mindset as pre-practicum reading and I’m so thankful for that. We utilized the ideas to shape the introductory course, program events and vision for the assignments and program completion. With the principles from Dweck’s book, program scholars were encouraged to think differently about themselves, the scholarly problems they faced, and the opportunities ahead of them.
That was six years ago and I still find myself pulling this book off the shelf or thinking about the principles and their applications frequently… it’s a book that has so many practical applications, to teaching, coaching, leadership, our personal development, parenting… basically to your whole life.
Dweck says there are two mindsets that exist: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. They exist differently in different parts of your life too. You might have a growth mindset in one area, but fixed tendencies in another. A fixed mindset says you have the skills and abilities that you have and there’s no way to grow beyond them. I imagine this as a person in a house with a low ceiling. They believe that they can grow, but only to a certain height. The growth mindset says I have skills and abilities and asks how can I use them to grow. They might fail, but they see that as a learning opportunity and a way to push further or higher. I imagine this as a person on the low end of a long ladder (and no fear of heights). Their mindset leaves them open to reaching higher and higher, to seeing and experiencing new things.
I really enjoy how Dweck maps out these mindsets in a variety of settings so you really grasp what both mindsets look like. Then, she teaches you how to cultivate a growth mindset in yourself and in those you lead, work with, parent, etc. I’ve especially noticed this difference for me lately in daily conversations with my toddler. I want to encourage him to have a growth mindset because I’ve seen how much of an impact it makes when this mindset is adopted in the high school and college ages… imagine the difference it makes at age two! Dweck talks about the difference in our encouragements and whether we are encouraging a fixed or growth mindset. For example, let’s say my toddler puts together a challenging puzzle. I could say, “Wow, you’re really smart!” and have him to believe that he only was able to complete the puzzle because he was born with great intelligence. And while I hope that’s true, I’d rather he grow a love of learning and trying new things. So instead, I could say, “Wow, your hard work really paid off! I’m proud of you for sticking with that puzzle and finishing it!” Now, of course that one scenario isn’t going to change everything and sometimes I tell him he’s really smart too, but I love encouraging his grit, determination, and curiosity, and so cultivating that growth mindset.
With that, I highly recommend you grab this book and that you read it (again and again).
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Our book review this month is Atomic Habits by James Clear. This was a great read we would highly recommend for you personally or to read with an officer team or leadership class. Clear does a…well, clear job (pun intended) of showing how little, consistent habits can make a huge impact over time. He provides action steps for creating positive habits, distancing yourself from negative habits, and maximizing the effectiveness of your habits. Within each chapter, he offers website links to helpful “worksheets” he has created to walk you through the application of that chapter.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
We would recommend this book for your high-achieving, advanced leaders who are needing an additional challenge. Would be ideal for a strong officer team, a leadership class, or a Senior capstone. Brown’s book is a “playbook” for being an effective leader, addressing an aspect of leadership we don’t often talk about: vulnerability. Brown shares how being vulnerable can build greater trust and more effective leadership, while also providing actionable steps to put this knowledge into practice. We’ve created a review guide with questions to help your students connect the dots and be prepared for further discussion.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Our recommendation of this book is for educators and anyone investing in an organization and/or the development of young people. Sinek outlines how all too often we start with the “what” or “how” instead of the “why.” This book really helps create the mindset of choosing to first develop the “why” of an activity, event or project, before getting into the details and plans.
By starting with why, you have the opportunity to set context and create buy-in, further increasing the potential success of the endeavor. Sinek shares not only the “why” of starting with why, but also steps to implement this habit. The lessons learned from this book can make a huge impact on you, your chapter, and beyond!
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