Berger Leadership Blog

New research from Stanford University shows that attitude is a better predictor of success than intelligence.

The study found that peoples’ attitudes fall into one of two categories: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Forbes contributor Travis Bradberry explains in a recent article, “People with a growth mindset believe that they can improve with effort. They outperform those with a fixed mindset, even when they have a lower IQ, because they embrace challenges, treating them as opportunities to learn something new.”

Luckily, a growth-oriented mindset can be developed. Bradberry suggests:

- Don’t remain helpless. “[I]n order to be successful, you need to be willing to fail hard and then bounce right back,” he writes.

- Be passionate. There is always someone who is going to be more talented or gifted than you, but your passion can lead you toward excellence.

- Take action. You have to keep moving and not let the fear of failure prevent you from taking action.

- Go the extra mile. Always give every day your best (even on bad days).

Psychologist Carol Dweck, who conducted the Stanford University study, said success is all about how you deal with failure. She said failure is simply information – it shows what didn’t work – so we move on and try something else.

To sum up, we should embrace setbacks and challenges with open arms – and a growth mindset – to move closer to achieving success. At NAFCU, we work very hard at hiring for “attitude and aptitude.”