We often hear that leaders should cultivate a growth mindset. But what does that actually mean in practice?

At its core, a growth mindset is about believing people can learn and evolve. Yet, in leadership, it’s deeper than that. It means assuming the people around us already hold authentic wisdom and insight.

Too often, leaders default to giving advice.

Giving advice is inherently patronizing. It says, “I know better than you.” A growth mindset flips that script. Instead of prescribing, it’s about asking, listening, and creating space for people to surface their own answers.

In our Leading People Program we teach "Solution Discovery Coaching," a model for practicing this kind of support.

As leaders, when we trust the wisdom in the room, we invite ownership.

We move from telling to partnering. That’s where transformation happens—because people are far more invested in solutions they discover themselves.

So the next time you’re tempted to give advice, pause. Try curiosity instead:

• What feels true to you right now?
• What possibilities do you see?
• What’s one step you’d like to try?

This is leadership with a growth mindset—not dispensing answers, but unlocking them.

Moe

P.S. The strongest leaders I know aren’t the best advice-givers. They’re the best question-askers.