More on Mindset (cont.1)
Introduction
Generally during change there is a need to change mindsets, ie from supporting the status quo to challenging it.
As neuroscience explains, the brain’s default position is working from the worst scenario, ie most worried by potential threats.
The diagram below shows where mindsets fit in change management in understanding capability.
(source: Helen Palmer, 2024)
Dimensions
There are 2 dimensions:
- Thinking/Doing
- Internal/External
Definitions
Internal (a sense of 'knowing', ie living in your own personal bubble
"...is integrated into who they are and entwined with their sense of identity..."
Helen Palmer, 2024)
External (a sense of the 'knowing' what is outside your personal bubble; this can be
"...a collective shared reality; and an agreed reality which can define a profession and give it boundaries..."
Helen Palmer, 2024)
Thinking (refers to thought-based activities)
Doing (action activities like doing, acting, making, etc)
Capabilities
There are 4 capabilities:
- Mindset (what you believe)
- Knowledge Set (what you know)
- Skill Set (what you can do)
- Tool Set (what can you use)
NB These last 2 are more tangible, measurable, etc than the first 2 capabilities.
The aim is to integrate the 4 sets and achieve mastery.
"...into a holist synergistic practice that supports the core aspects of any discipline, eg designing, changing, healing..."
Helen Palmer, 2024
Mindsets
Mindsets is the least explored and understood capability. Yet its impact can be pivotal as it holds the other capabilities (knowledge set, skill set and tool set) together in a cohesive way.
"...it's the Mindset that shapes and filters what we choose to know and value as knowledge; and what heuristics, principles, theories we apply and formalise in our practice and habits; the breadth and depth of skills we exercise; and tools we chose to use and keep sharpened in our tool kits..."
Helen Palmer, 2024
(source: Helen Palmer, 2024)
"...Mindset is internal, so tacit, subjective and personal......a much more challenging conversation with content as personal as beliefs and values entwined with identity and other cultural influences.....is thinking activity, so needs cognitive awareness, intention and attention......to make time for it......make cognitive space for it......going to involve reflection and critical thinking..."
Helen Palmer, 2024
However, in the time-challenged implementation-driven world, doing activities get priority over thinking activities such as mindset considerations.
"...Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it..."
Henry Ford as quoted by Helen Palmer, 2024