How long does it take to complete this course?

Plan on about 10 hours to complete the course. At a pace of roughly 10 hours a week, that's about one week of study. The course includes lessons, readings, quizzes, discussion prompts, and reflection activities.

Is this course more theory or hands-on?

It's more concept-first, with guided practice throughout. Most of the learning comes through lessons and readings, then gets reinforced with quizzes, reflections, and scenario-based exercises rather than open-ended projects.

The Growth Mindset

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The Growth Mindset

This course is part of Professional Skills for the Workplace Specialization

Instructor: Lisa Montanaro

73,247 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,496 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,496 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Analyze beliefs and actions that contribute to a growth mindset within an organization.
Evaluate opportunites to increasingly develop a growth mindset.
Apply practices that foster growth mindset within an organization.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

16 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

Are you interested in expanding your career, and want to be a more creative and innovative employee who embraces problems and challenges, and thrives in those circumstances?

This course will help you determine if you have a fixed mindset or growth mindset, the triggers to watch for when falling into a fixed mindset, and how to transition to a growth mindset. Throughout this course, we will look at several ways in which you can help facilitate a growth mindset in the workplace. To help create environments where each individual has the chance to reach their greatest potential (think productivity), stay motivated on the job (think retention), and continue to develop their skills and knowledge base in a progressive and meaningful way (think life-long learner). One of the most important lessons you’ll learn in this course is that mindset is shifted from moment to moment through recognition and practice. You will be able to learn the process for shifting your mindset that you can turn back to long after the course ends to continue your Growth Mindset journey.

In this module, you will be able to define and discuss the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. You will be able to identify your own mindset given a situation or arena and measure your baseline. You will be able to use a process to help shift your mindset and examine the benefits and characteristics of having a growth mindset. You'll discuss where growth mindset fits in the workplace.

What's included

8 videos4 readings4 assignments2 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 29 minutes

Welcome to the Growth Mindset!5 minutes
Introduction to Thomas and Priya3 minutes
Foundations of a Growth Mindset5 minutes
Benefits and Characteristics of a Growth Mindset2 minutes
4-Step Mindset Shift Process3 minutes
The Art of Becoming4 minutes
Mindset Is A Spectrum4 minutes
Organizations Can Exhibit a Growth Mindset2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 51 minutes

Course Navigation and Safety Statement1 minute
New Pathways to Learning: Geeking Out on Neuroscience10 minutes
Self-Reflection Journal Activity20 minutes
Self-Reflection Journal Activity20 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Statements 15 minutes
Characteristics of Growth Mindset People 15 minutes
Skillset Stretch and Mindset Reframe 5 minutes
Mindset Spectrum 10 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 35 minutes

Measure Your Baseline15 minutes
Practicing the Mindset Shift20 minutes

In this module, you will be able to identify both internal and external roadblocks to the growth mindset. You will discover myths of the growth mindset and begin to identify your own limiting beliefs. You will be able to examine and reframe negative statements caused from your limiting beliefs. You will apply a no negative self-talk rule and be able to overcome the comparison trap syndrome.

What's included

4 videos1 reading3 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 17 minutes

External Roadblocks to Growth Mindset7 minutes
Limiting Beliefs3 minutes
Comparison Trap Syndrome4 minutes
Negative Self-Talk3 minutes

1 readingTotal 15 minutes

Triple 3 Exercise - Overcoming Limiting Beliefs15 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes

Myths About Growth Mindset 10 minutes
Reframe Exercise 15 minutes
Comparison Syndrome Mindset Manifestations 10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Rephrasing Your Own Statements10 minutes

In this module, you will be able to define organizational mindset and compare and contrast the differences between a fixed mindset organization and a growth mindset organization. You will discover the organizational culture depending on the type of mindset. You will help foster a growth mindset within your organization and identify the qualities that lead to a growth mindset. You will be able to recognize the type of mindset at the leadership level within an organization and apply best practices for growth mindset at the workplace. You will be able discuss the positivity quotient and how it impacts your team. You will be able to foster a culture of collaboration versus group think and be able to successfully navigate change with a growth mindset.

What's included

8 videos4 readings5 assignments3 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 28 minutes

Organizational Mindset 5 minutes
Fostering An Organization3 minutes
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset of Leaders4 minutes
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset of CEOs2 minutes
Growth Mindset Leadership3 minutes
Positivity Quotient4 minutes
Group Think4 minutes
Navigating Change3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Self-Reflection Journal Exercise15 minutes
Qualities That Lead to Growth Mindset in an Organization10 minutes
Growth Mindset Change Qualities10 minutes
Let's Practice!10 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Organizational Mindset Definitions 5 minutes
Fostering a Growth Mindset 15 minutes
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Managers 10 minutes
Best Practices of Growth Mindset15 minutes
Navigating Change 15 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 35 minutes

Examples of Fixed Mindsets10 minutes
Best Practices for Growth Mindset at Work15 minutes
Overcoming Group Think10 minutes

In this module, you will be able to overcome the perfectionist syndrome. You will be able to identify how your mindset will show up. You will be able to practice the five-minute pity party and apply a growth mindset to move forward. You will be able to reframe a situation and make it redemptive. You will be able to apply best practices to giving and receiving feedback and be able to identify that there is a balance to practicing a mindset.

What's included

7 videos3 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 29 minutes

The Perfectionist Syndrome3 minutes
The Five-Minute Pity Party4 minutes
Redemptive Story Reframe6 minutes
Giving and Receiving Feedback5 minutes
Thomas Reframe Example3 minutes
Reality Check of Growth Mindset3 minutes
Course Summary and Moving Forward4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 55 minutes

Self-Reflective Activity15 minutes
Self-Reflection Activity30 minutes
How to Develop a Growth Mindset in Your Career?10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Situations and Triggers 10 minutes
How Your Mindset Shows Up 10 minutes
Redemptive Story Reframing 10 minutes
Feedback Statements 10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

Your Own 5-Minute Pity Party20 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(562 ratings)

Lisa Montanaro

University of California, Davis

1 Course73,247 learners

Offered by

University of California, Davis

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Reviewed on Aug 18, 2026

An interesting course. Help me to personally reflect on my career and work journey, to be more positive and more importantly understand the importance of building a growth mindset with my team

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2024

Excellent content and presentation. It was lucid and full of real-life examples. The persona and tools such as 3S, four step process, and 5 min pity party were very helpful.

Reviewed on Apr 13, 2023

A very well presented and explained course. Really a good opportunity to learn about Growth Mindset and its benefits to the individual and society/ company.

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Frequently asked questions

You'll learn how to recognize fixed and growth mindset patterns, understand what triggers them, and shift your response in work and career situations. It starts with the basics of mindset and self-assessment, then moves into roadblocks like limiting beliefs and negative self-talk before applying the ideas to leadership, feedback, setbacks, and change. Along the way, you'll practice tasks like reframing fixed-mindset statements or turning a setback into a more constructive next step.

No, you don't need prior experience with growth mindset before starting. The course is beginner-level and begins by defining fixed versus growth mindset before asking you to reflect on your own patterns. A willingness to think about your work habits, reactions to feedback, and career challenges will help, because the practice is built around self-assessment and workplace examples.

Yes, it's a good fit if you're new to the topic and want a clear introduction tied to real workplace situations. The course uses short lessons, guided reflections, and simple examples to help you recognize mindset patterns before moving into leadership, team culture, and setbacks. It may feel especially relevant if you're thinking about your career development or how you work with others.

Yes, but the practice is guided rather than project-based. You'll complete quizzes, reflection exercises, discussion prompts, and Coach activities where you do things like measure your baseline, reframe negative self-talk, or work through a setback or feedback scenario. That format helps you apply each idea to your own career and workplace situations as you learn it.

The course centers on fixed versus growth mindset, the barriers that keep people stuck, and the habits that support change. You'll work through topics like limiting beliefs and negative self-talk, then apply the ideas to feedback, leadership, organizational culture, and change. Taken together, the material helps you analyze how mindset shapes learning, performance, and development at both the individual and team level.

By the end, you should be able to spot fixed-mindset reactions in yourself or in a workplace situation and use strategies to shift toward a growth mindset. You'll have a practical process for handling triggers, reframing limiting beliefs, responding to feedback, and moving through setbacks more constructively. For example, you should be able to take a tough review or a stalled project and turn it into a specific learning and action plan.

Choose this course if you want growth mindset taught in a workplace context, not just as a general personal development topic. It connects the core ideas to leadership, team culture, feedback, setbacks, and change, and it uses regular reflection and reframing exercises to help you apply them. If you're looking for a short beginner course that is practical without being project-heavy, this is a strong fit.