The Growth Mindset at the Core of Modern Leadership

When I think about modern leadership, the first trait that comes to mind is a growth mindset. I’ve spent my career advising leaders, teaching, and working across the globe—and the very best leaders I’ve observed all share this quality: they never stop learning.

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illustrates this so well in Leadership in Turbulent Times,

particularly in her portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Despite repeated failures—including losing his run for Congress—Lincoln committed himself to relentless learning. He studied history, science, mathematics, even astronomy. He honed his storytelling. That hunger to learn helped him rise to the moment when our nation needed him most.

A growth mindset is about humility. It’s about knowing we are never finished products. It allows leaders to adapt to complexity, motivate teams, and spark innovation. Modern leaders don’t just rely on what they know—they actively seek new ideas, new perspectives, and new challenges.

And that’s how they stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.