{"id":71855,"date":"2025-11-12T09:26:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T09:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/articles\/complete-guide-to-improving-learners-mindset-in-the-workplace\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T09:26:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T09:26:07","slug":"complete-guide-to-improving-learners-mindset-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/articles\/complete-guide-to-improving-learners-mindset-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete Guide to Improving Learner\u2019s Mindset in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class='inline-text-container MobileAlignment DesktopAlignment'>\n  <div class='richText'><p><strong>Learn what learner\u2019s mindset is and how it fits into the workplace<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>as part of a robust L&amp;D strategy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mindset and learning are intrinsically linked. With a poor mindset, people will struggle to acquire new skills and knowledge \u2013 no matter how hard they try. So, it\u2019s no surprise that a cohort of learner\u2019s with a poor mindset proves challenging for L&amp;D teams.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, learner\u2019s are the custodians of their own thoughts and feelings. But there are numerous ways that L&amp;D professionals can improve the learner mindset in their organisation. In this blog we\u2019ll explore:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What a \u2018learner\u2019s mindset\u2019 is<\/li>\n<li>The impact of a growth mindset on organisations<\/li>\n<li>How you can improve mindsets as an L&amp;D professional<\/li>\n<li>Supporting remote employees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a learner mindset?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"bloglinks\">A mindset relates to a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/english\/mindset\">person\u2019s way of thinking and their opinions<\/a>. So, when we think about a learner\u2019s mindset, we need to consider how a learner\u2019s thoughts and opinions impact their propensity to learn.<\/p>\n<p>If an individual heads into a learning opportunity with negative preconceptions of the experience, they\u2019re unlikely to learn as much as you\u2019d want them to. However, the opposite is also true: if an individual has a positive mindset \u2013 the outcomes of the learning will improve. The truth is, learning is a skill itself.<\/p>\n<p>So you might be in a situation where you need to upskill your people on how to learn effectively. Learning how to learn is a difficult topic for many, however, when honed effectively, this skill can help individuals stand out amongst their peers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"bloglinks\">These learners, dubbed \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/featured-insights\/future-of-work\/the-most-fundamental-skill-intentional-learning-and-the-career-advantage\">intentional learners<\/a>\u2019, understand that learning doesn\u2019t just happen in the classroom, and often have a growth mindset.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a growth mindset?<\/h2>\n<p>Having a growth mindset is incredibly important in the modern working world \u2013 for both individuals and organisations alike. Those with a growth mindset understand that their skills and talents\u00a0<em>can<\/em>\u00a0be developed, and they often achieve more than those with a \u2018fixed\u2019 mindset.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Growth Mindset<\/strong><br \/>\nPerseveres in the face of failure<br \/>\nPuts in the effort to build new skills<br \/>\nFinds inspiration in others success Embraces challenges<br \/>\nAccepts criticism Wants to learn &amp; build abilities<\/td>\n<td><strong>Fixed Mindset<\/strong><br \/>\nAvoids challenges<br \/>\nGives up easily<br \/>\nThreatened by others success<br \/>\nWants to look smart Ignores feedback<br \/>\nThinks abilities are innate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"bloglinks\">Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtello.com\/fixed-mindset-vs-growth-mindset\/\">TechTello<\/a>, 2021<\/p>\n<p>A growth mindset doesn\u2019t just impact the individual and their personal career prospects, it also impacts the entire organisation. Those companies with a collective growth mindset report that employees feel \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2016\/01\/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means\">more empowered and committed, [and] they also receive greater organisational support for collaboration and innovation<\/a>.\u201d So, it\u2019s easy to see why having a growth mindset and a positive learner\u2019s mindset are intrinsically linked \u2013 so how can L&amp;D improve the mindset of learners?<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to improve learner\u2019s mindset in your organisation<\/h2>\n<p>Now you know what learner\u2019s mindset is and why it\u2019s important to consider as part of your learning and development strategy, the next thing to think about is how. How can you use it within your strategy? And how can you develop it among your people? We\u2019ve got it down to these four key ways:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promote and encourage work and learning balance<\/li>\n<li>Listen to your learners\u2019 wants and needs<\/li>\n<li>Provide continuous feedback<\/li>\n<li>Foster a culture of collaboration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at each of these in a bit more detail.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Promote and encourage balance between work and learning<\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019ve probably heard of work-life balance, but how about work-learn balance? If your employees are firmly stuck in the day job all the time, they will not have the time to dedicate to learning.<\/p>\n<p>Or, when they do find the time to learn, they\u2019ll feel as though they should be doing their day job. This presents a vicious cycle of resentment towards learning that will hamper the likelihood of your learners having a growth mindset \u2013 so it\u2019s time to change that.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of treating something that learners should do in addition to \u2013 or instead of \u2013 their day job, make sure the time to learn is baked into your employees commitments. By facilitating time, space and freedom to learn, your organisation will reap the rewards.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Listen to learners wants and needs<\/h3>\n<p>L&amp;D have a reputation of being \u2018order takers\u2019. Somebody in the business wants a piece of learning created, and L&amp;D do it \u2013 no questions asked. But in recent years, there\u2019s been a huge shift, and one that we think is hugely impactful for organisations worldwide.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of taking orders from the organisation, L&amp;D must create a learning offering that meets both the organisational objectives and learners needs. Employees\u2019 motivations to learn all come from a place of self-service, such as<a href=\"https:\/\/learning.linkedin.com\/content\/dam\/me\/learning\/en-us\/pdfs\/workplace-learning-report\/LinkedIn-Learning_Workplace-Learning-Report-2023-EN.pdf\">\u00a0career progression and staying up to date in their field<\/a>. So, if you want to improve their mindset, providing relevant and engaging learning that meets their wants and needs will help you get there.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Facilitate managers providing continuous feedback<\/h3>\n<p>Feedback is critical in building a real culture of learning within your organisation. Your employees are looking to their managers for guidance and praise throughout their development journey \u2013 and without it, they can get disheartened quickly.<\/p>\n<p>To keep your employees engaged with learning, and to improve their mindset, make sure your managers know how to provide feedback effectively. Some top tips include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be timely and provide feedback (especially constructive criticism) in a timely manner after the incident.<\/li>\n<li>Be specific and provide examples: this allows employees to leave with an action plan about what to do differently in the future.<\/li>\n<li>Be aware of non-verbal communication. Body language and facial expressions can make employees misinterpret your feedback.<\/li>\n<li>Always feedback on the positive too! This will spark your employee\u2019s desire to do better and work harder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Foster a culture of collaboration<\/h3>\n<p class=\"bloglinks\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1877042811030205\">Collaborative learning<\/a> is proven to have a positive impact on outcomes, so encouraging collective learning experiences is a great way to improve the efficacy of your learning. But it also has a huge benefit on the learner\u2019s mindset too.<\/p>\n<p>Those with a growth mindset are said to find inspiration in others\u2019 success. And facilitating group-learning experiences is a great way to share those successes, and learning amongst team members. Plus, a culture of collaboration also improves the psychological safety of your workplace \u2013 further improving the learner\u2019s mindset.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about remote learning impact on learner\u2019s mindset?<\/h2>\n<p>We don\u2019t need to tell you that remote and hybrid working has accelerated in popularity in recent years. But this has posed a new challenge for learning &amp; development professionals \u2013 as connecting with remote learners on a personal level is much more difficult.<\/p>\n<p>However, that does not mean you cannot instigate a positive learner mindset amongst your dispersed employees. When employees work in a remote or hybrid environment, the organic collaboration and communication of the workplace disappears.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, when you\u2019re trying to improve the learner mindset in remote employees, you must act on the above tips in a much more conscious and deliberate way. For example, give your remote workers explicit permission to learn, and encourage a healthy work-learn balance. Use surveys, forums and focus groups to get to know your audience and understand their wants and needs.<\/p>\n<p>And finally, ensure you have upskilled your management team on how to provide feedback to remote employees. By taking these extra steps, your remote employees will see they are valued within your organisations, and ultimately feel more positive about learning and growth.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Think Learning can help you improve learner\u2019s mindset<\/h2>\n<p class=\"bloglinks\">When considering improving your learner\u2019s mindset, you might not think of technology as the solution. But our\u00a0modern LMS, powered by Totara TXP, can take your initiatives to new heights. Integrating performance management in your learning function will facilitate a flexible and personalised approach to learning.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, Totara Engage will foster a collaborative culture amongst your team, that recognises, rewards and inspires contributions. <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/request-a-demo-form\/\">Book a demo<\/a>\u00a0to see our platform in action and learn how you can use it to improve the learner\u2019s mindset in your organisation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>","protected":false},"template":"","tax\/tags":[724,691,806],"tax\/solutions":[],"tax\/topics":[717,731,808],"tax\/industries":[],"tax\/article-types":[1021],"class_list":["post-71855","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/71855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tax\/tags?post=71855"},{"taxonomy":"solution","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tax\/solutions?post=71855"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tax\/topics?post=71855"},{"taxonomy":"industry-tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tax\/industries?post=71855"},{"taxonomy":"article-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.totara.fortyapp.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tax\/article-types?post=71855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}