Beyond Individual Growth Mindset: How Leaders Can Foster a Culture of Growth in their Organizations with Mary Murphy

Culture and growth are very special topics here on the Leadership Blueprints Podcast, and today’s guest, award-winning social psychologist, author, speaker, and organizational consultant, Professor Mary Murphy, certainly speaks our love language! 

 

Mary is a trailblazer in equity and inclusion, illuminating the dynamics of mindset and culture and empowering organizations to foster environments of growth and innovation. In this episode, Mary describes how we can distinguish a fixed mindset from a growth mindset before explaining how her multicultural background kindled her passion for academic research, particularly culture and growth. 

 

Using Mary’s book, Cultures of Growth, as a reference point, we discover what it looks like when an organization prioritizes a growth mindset culture, how to detach yourself from a fixed mindset, how establishing a great office culture is only possible with excellent leadership, and how to cultivate a growth mindset from an early age. 

 

Mary also explains how we can pursue a growth mindset culture at home, why we need to focus on improving basic processes rather than berating ourselves for results, and what the big-hitters are getting right regarding growth mindsets, as well as action steps for business leaders who want to improve their company’s growth mindset. Tune in today for all this and more!

 

Key Points From This Episode:

•   The differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.  

•   What it looks like when an organization adopts a growth mindset culture. 

•   How to detach yourself from a fixed mindset and forge a new identity in growth. 

•   Why establishing a growth mindset culture is impossible without great leadership. 

•   How to build a growth mindset at home with your family. 

•   The importance of improving rudimentary processes instead of judging ourselves on results. 

•   Action steps for business leaders to improve their company’s growth mindset culture. 

 

Quotes:

“In these fixed mindset cultures, information is power. People don’t want to share the information they have access to because it is a way of holding onto power and maintaining their advantage.” — Mary Murphy 

 

“In a growth mindset culture, collaboration is encouraged, incentivized, [and] praised. There’s a lot of support for people’s growth and development.” — Mary Murphy 

 

“Culture matters in so many ways for our family, for our community, for our work, but it’s not just any culture. It’s a growth mindset culture that [eats] strategy for breakfast.” — Mary Murphy 

 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Mary Murphy

Mary Murphy on LinkedIn

Mary Murphy on X

Mary Murphy on Instagram

Mary Murphy on Facebook

Cultures of Growth 

Equity Accelerator 

Indiana University

The CASBS Summer Institute on Diversity  

Carol Dweck

Satya Nadella

Hit Refresh 

‘Global Mindset Initiative Paper 1: Growth Mindset Cultures and Teacher Practices’

Mindset 

The Ministry for the Future 

Who Moved My Cheese? 

Crucial Conversations 

Peter Drucker

Mindset Triggers Assessment 

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What is Leadership Blueprints?

Leadership Blueprints is a podcast dedicated to helping leaders align teams, navigate chaos, and accomplish the mission. Hosted by BJ Kraemer—West Point graduate, combat veteran, and President & CEO of MCFA—this show dives into the principles, stories, and strategies behind effective leadership.

With a background in military service and experience leading teams in business, infrastructure, and complex projects, BJ understands that success comes down to execution, adaptability, and leading people well. Through in-depth interviews with accomplished leaders across business, sports, the military, and beyond, Leadership Blueprints will help you bring your vision to reality on projects that shape communities and industries.

Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, on the field, in the military, or within your own organization, this podcast is designed to provide the tools and mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Subscribe now and start building your Leadership Blueprint.