Most of us unknowingly carry limiting beliefs about our abilities, often in the very areas where we have the most room to grow! A talented developer won't apply for a senior role because they think “I'm just not a natural leader”, never considering that leadership can be learned. Or a designer brushes off feedback believing, "Either you have an eye for design or you don't." Sound familiar?

These are not signs of missing innate talent, but rather the result of a fixed mindset, a belief that your innate talent is set in stone. The good news is that this belief can be changed by adopting a growth mindset, a belief that you are capable of growing and improving.

Drawing on insights from Dr. Carol S. Dweck’s pioneering research, this talk explores how a fixed mindset makes us avoid challenges and crumble at criticism, while a growth mindset helps us see both as fuel for improvement. I'll break down the real difference between fixed and growth mindset and we'll do an interactive exercise where you'll experience the shift yourself.

The best part? Your potential isn't fixed. You will walk away with a practical strategy to stop protecting your ego and start building the skills necessary to get that senior role and tackling the challenges you've been avoiding.

The talk is heavily inspired by Dr. Carol S. Dweck’s research and especially her book Mindset (Amazing book btw!).

Preferred session duration: 25 minutes

Previous speaking experience: I have delivered my growth mindset talk at Agile Testing Days 2025 (https://agiletestingdays.com/2025/session/yes-to-growth-how-a-growth-mindset-can-change-your-life/) and Oracle APEX Nordic Days.