Quote: "They surround themselves with the most able people they can find, they look squarely at their own mistakes and deficiencies, and they ask frankly what skills they and the company will need in the future."
Question: Why is competition looked upon so negatively in the profession of education?
Connection: In the corporate world, business leaders see competition as healthy and cutting edge. They analyze the work of others in order to make improvements to gain advantage. Although collaboration is valued in both settings, competition drives corporations to improve themselves. Executives strive to stand out. In education, if you stray or stand out, then you are viewed as someone who is not collaborative, or not a team-player. Administrators often foster that culture through expecting to walk through grade level classrooms seeking to find the same lessons or work displayed.
Epiphany: Maybe some leaders in the education system have fixed mindsets! What would happen if they allowed a little competition?
Chapter 6
Quote: "One problem is that people with the fixed mindset expect everything good to happen automatically."
Question: Dweck does not emphasize religion as being a factor of one's mindset, but I wonder how much of an effect does it have?
Connection: Many people whom I immediately thought of as having a fixed mindset tend to have this idea that everything is not their choice, but rather in "God's hands." They don't seem to me as being the most motivated or ambitious people.
Epiphany: Some just don't take responsibility or own their choices, or lack thereof, and place the responsibility upon someone else.
Reference:
Dweck, C. S. Mindset The New Psychology of Success. 2006. New York. Random House.