Getting It Right vs. Getting Better –

katrincharlton
Sep 21
3 min read

Updated: Sep 22

Why a growth mindset matters.

Here’s a confession: this is a challenge I am always up against myself. Whether I’m creating a new course, drafting a post, or writing this very blog… that inner pressure whispers: “It has to be right.”

And if I’m not careful, that pressure can be paralysing. It can stop me from doing anything at all.

For a long time, I never thought of myself as a perfectionist. I’ve always been quick rather than overly detailed.

But here’s what I’ve realised: perfectionism doesn’t always look like painstaking detail. It can also look like rushing, second-guessing, or avoiding altogether. Different mask, same story.

The perfection trap

I see the same thing in many of my clients.

One senior leader told me he felt he had to have all the answers. It became his armour. Being the “smartest in the room” gave her status, but it also silenced her team. Every time she didn’t know something, she panicked. Every time someone challenged her, she doubled down.

It paralysed her too – not in stillness, but in control.

During one session, I asked: “What if not having the answer is the very thing that unlocks growth?”

That was the shift. Slowly, she allowed himself to experiment, to make mistakes, to let others shine.

The result: Her credibility grew. Her team flourished. And the organisation gained stronger collaboration, more innovation, and a healthier culture.

The neuroscience of mistakes

Our brains crave certainty. When we get something wrong or don’t know the answer, the brain’s alarm system (amygdala) lights up. It feels uncomfortable, even threatening.

But here’s the beauty: this discomfort is also where learning happens. Mistakes activate the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain that drives problem-solving and creativity. Each time we stretch and stumble, we lay down new neural pathways.

For organisations, the same principle applies: a culture that punishes mistakes breeds fear and stagnation. A culture that frames mistakes as learning fuels innovation and agility.

Growth mindset in practice

A growth mindset, as Carol Dweck defines it, is the belief that skills and intelligence are not fixed but can be developed. Simple in theory, tough in practice – especially for high achievers and organisations used to rewarding certainty and flawless execution.

Here are four ways to bring it to life – as an individual, leader, and organisation:

Catch the fixed voice. Individuals can add “yet” to “I can’t do this.” Teams can reframe: “We haven’t solved this challenge… yet.”
Reframe mistakes. Ask: “What is this teaching us?” not “Who got it wrong?”
Stretch deliberately. Create stretch opportunities for teams and leaders – projects just beyond comfort zones that stretch capability.
Normalise imperfection. Leaders who share their mistakes model resilience. Organisations that embrace experimentation innovate faster and attract talent.

My reflection

This isn’t abstract for me – it’s lived.

I’ve lost count of the times I delayed publishing something because it wasn’t “ready.” And, as I shared in my earlier blog on Breaking the Procrastination Cycle, perfection often shows up as procrastination.

What I’ve learned: waiting until it’s perfect often means never starting.

Growth is messy. It’s trial and error. It’s humbling.

But it’s also where the magic is – for individuals, leaders, and entire organisations.

If you, your team, or your organisation are caught in the loop of needing to be right, maybe it’s time to ask: What would shift if we allowed ourselves to grow instead?

This is the work I do – creating the space for leaders, teams, and organisations to experiment, stretch, and move from “right” to “better.” If you’re curious, let’s explore what this could look like for you.

👉 Let’s connect

Resources to go deeper

📖 Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol Dweck’s classic on fixed vs. growth mindset.
🎥 TED Talk: The Power of Believing That You Can Improve by Carol Dweck.
📰 Article: Why You Need a Growth Mindset to Succeed (Harvard Business Review).