By David Froshiesar

I took a very good class at my company today given by a Super Bright Spirited Individual. I’m sure if he reads this article, he will know who I’m referring to. Thank you!

Here are a few thoughts I had after some reflection.

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At Hewlett Packard, we stand on the shoulders of giants. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, in their unassuming garage, weren’t just building oscilloscopes; they were forging a culture, a “maverick” mentality that believed in the boundless potential of ingenuity, persistence, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. That very spirit, deeply embedded in our HP Values, is what we now champion as a “Growth Mindset.”

A growth mindset is the fundamental belief that our abilities and intelligence are not fixed, but can be developed through dedication and hard work. It’s the conviction that we can always learn more and be better than we were yesterday. This isn’t just a feel-good philosophy; it’s the bedrock of individual and organizational growth, and it’s at the very heart of everything we do, especially as we navigate our ongoing digital transformation.

Let’s unpack the key pillars of this transformative mindset:

Curiosity: The Spark of Innovation

A fundamental aspect of a growth mindset is an insatiable curiosity. It’s about approaching challenges with an open mind, asking “why” and “what if,” and actively seeking out new knowledge and perspectives. When we are curious, we unlock new possibilities and identify innovative solutions that drive our digital transformation forward. It’s the initial spark that ignites progress.

Experimentation: The Pathway to Discovery

True progress often comes from a willingness to experiment. This means embracing new approaches, testing hypotheses, and iteratively refining our strategies. It’s about creating safe spaces to try, learn, and iterate, knowing that each experiment, regardless of its immediate outcome, contributes to our collective learning and evolution.

Agility: Adapting and Thriving in Change

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, agility is paramount. It’s about being nimble, responsive, and able to adapt to new information and changing circumstances without losing momentum. This enables us to capitalize on emerging opportunities and navigate unforeseen challenges with confidence.

Risk-Taking: Courage in the Face of Uncertainty

Innovation rarely happens without an element of risk. Risk-taking, in the context of a growth mindset, doesn’t mean recklessness, but rather a willingness to step outside our comfort zones, challenge conventional thinking, and pursue ambitious goals. It’s about understanding that progress often requires venturing into the unknown, and that the greatest rewards often come from the biggest leaps of faith.

Embracing “EUSTRESS” and Learning from Mistakes: The Power of Vulnerability

A crucial aspect of the growth mindset is the ability to embrace “EUSTRESS” – that positive, motivating state of mind we experience when we are curious and intrigued by a new challenge or change. It’s about reframing perceived stress into exciting opportunities for growth.

And, inevitably, in any journey of growth and innovation, there will be missteps. Mistakes are a natural, invaluable part of the learning process. This is where empathy and shared experience become so powerful within our teams.

As individuals and as an organization, we can become more empathetic by openly sharing our experiences with failure. It’s a powerful act of vulnerability that builds trust and fosters a truly supportive environment. When a program hits a snag, when a new strategy doesn’t yield immediate results, or when an individual project faces an unexpected hurdle, let’s remember that we all fail. And that’s okay.

Instead of hiding our failures, let’s admit them, own them, and most importantly, deeply analyze them. What went wrong? What did we learn? How can we pivot and move on, stronger and wiser? By being transparent about our challenges, we not only alleviate the burden on individuals but also provide invaluable learning opportunities for the entire team. This shared wisdom, born from collective experience, accelerates our growth exponentially.

Let us all embrace this inherent spirit within all of us. Let’s foster a culture where curiosity, experimentation, agility, and thoughtful risk-taking are not just encouraged, but celebrated. And most importantly, let’s cultivate an environment of empathetic vulnerability where we openly share our failures as learning opportunities, building a stronger, more resilient, and truly innovative HP for the future.

Seems like I have a long way to go….