Do you have a growth mindset?

By applause, how many of you, at some time — whether during an elementary school spelling bee, a high school algebra class, some corporate meeting — have had to deal with an annoying smarty pants peer? You know who I’m talking about. These folks really are smart, really do get (almost) all the answers right and often also get all of the teacher’s/boss’s accolades.

I admit, there were certainly times in my life (I suppose there still are) when I strove to be the Brilliant One. Yes, that’s right, I can both be irritated by a certain type of person and also try, in my own fashion, to become that person.

Interesting to reflect on this in light of recently reading about three decades worth of research by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck. As the New York Times reports, Dweck’s findings show that

Those who believe they were born with all the smarts and gifts they’re ever going to have approach life with what she calls a “fixed mind-set.” Those who believe that their own abilities can expand over time, however, live with a “growth mind-set.”

The short story is that sometimes the genius types can’t reach their maximum potential due, in part, to fear of making mistakes. Whereas the rest of us — maybe because we’re fearless but probably just because mistakes are unavoidable — forge ahead, knowing we’re going to screw up, but viewing our errors as opportunities for growth and learning. Which means that, yep, we actually have a chance of doing better than the fixed mindset types.

Or, as the NYT put it: In this case, nurture wins out over nature just about every time.

Teamwork can be another obstacle for the heralded egghead in the workplace. Why? Because that person might be spending way too much time showing off her flexed brain muscle and not nearly enough time genuinely collaborating.

Apparently, whether one clings to a fixed or growth attitude can affect all aspects of life, not just work. So relationships with kids, friends, and romantic partners all can benefit or suffer, too.

Good news for you superstar eggheads, though. Dweck says even if you are currently of a fixed mindset, it is possible to switch to the other side and become more growth-oriented. The hard part? Letting go of old, pre-conceived notions of yourself. Which can be a real stretch. But then, if you think about it, that’s the whole point, isn’t it?