Ten Mindsets Employers are Seeking

1. Ten Mindsets Employers are Seeking Adapted from: “You Majored In What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career” by Katharine Brooks, ED.D

2. Ten Mindsets Employers are Seeking • Employers begging for intelligent workers who possess and use the right “mindsets” or specific ways of thinking. • So how do you think about your classes, your experiences and your job search? • “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” Wayne DyerYour thinking skills are tangible, real and identifiable, like other skills such as athletics, music or art. How we think directly influences how we feel. When our attitude changes, our behaviour changes and this influences our performance. Good thinking allows you to take what is challenging and find a way to mentally approach the challenge so that you succeed. Take the following example: • Insert page 52 • Good thinkers remain open to the possibilities that something good may come from any experience. Employers are looking for “good thinkers” specifically with the mindsets in the following slides. Each of these mindsets become more valuable when combined with action. They overlap and the best thinkers use them all and more.

3. Mindset #1: The Systems Mindset • The Systems Mindset can also be called Big Picture thinking. It is where we take different points of view into account to solve a problem or develop an idea, and that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The systems approach allows an organization to see how each component contributes to the strength or weakness of a situation. Systems thinking connects the dots as everything is connected. Key systems thinking questions to ask are: • What do these things have in common?How can they work together?How does each piece influence the whole?What is the perspective of each piece?How does the overall structure influence the behaviour of its components?What is the consequence of a decision in one part of the system on the rest of the system? In a team situation, one could ask “how does the performance of one player affect the performance of the team?” or “how does each player view the game”. Systems thinking considers all the elements in relation to one another.

4. Mindset #1… Continued • Employers care about Systems Thinking because:Workers who use a systems approach are more likely to see connections between divisions and develop stronger relationshipsSystems thinking results in creative problem solvingThe systems approach pulls divisions together harmonizing the operationsSystems thinking increases the company’s understanding of external effects of the things they do or create • Steps to develop your Systems Thinking skills:Begin noticing connections, for example, between the subject matter in your classes for starters. Look at the systems around you and ask what kind of systems interact here at Sault College. How many different departments or groups exist within the system and why? • If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in systems thinking, what example(s) would you use?

5. Mindset #2: The Creative Mindset • Everybody is creative – it has little to do with being good in music or art, although that is a form of creativity. Creativity connects the unconnected. Creativity is the ability to view circumstances in a new way, to see what others don’t see, find a new solution to the problem or develop a new product or idea. Asking questions like “What if” or “What else” or “How can we” can lead to new ideas and approaches. • Employers care about Creative Thinking because: • Organizations need to grow and move forward to keep up with change, and creative people are invaluable to growthCreative thinkers will help organizations stay ahead of the competitionCreative thinkers are the greatest source of innovation and new productsCreative thinkers will see solutions where others only see problems

6. Mindset #2… Continued • Steps to develop your Creative Skills:Make the most of your talents – how can your talents help you in the workplace? For instance the ability to draw may speak to your level of patience and the ability to dance your ability to maintain discipline. Humour is also a creative skill – using humour in the workplace relieves tension and contributes to productivity.Stop trying to be perfect. If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly, simply because it’s worth doing. And “perfect” is relative. Keep taking chances and silence your inner critic.Set a limit on your bliss. Bliss can be exhausting. Creativity thrives in a moderately controlled environment. • Stretch yourself. Shake things up a little. Sit in a different spot in class. Speak to one new person each day or even each class. Speak up if your inner voice is telling you to be quiet. Join clubs. • If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in creative thinking, what example(s) would you use?

7. Mindset #3: The Analytical Mindset • Analysis is breaking down of the whole into distinct parts. Analytic skills help you convert a large problem into a series of smaller parts, thus make it more understandable and workable. • Employers care about Analytic Thinking because:Cost-benefit analysis is done daily in most organizations on every level. Employers must know how a proposed product or idea is going to affect the bottom line. We use cost benefit analysis in almost every aspect of our lives, including choosing a college program.Analysis of problems or successes in the workplace can enable the organization to learn from their mistakes. • Analytical thinking is not governed by emotion, and therefore yields logical answers.

8. Mindset #3… Continued • Steps to developing your Analytical Skills:Think about how you have used your analytical skills in your schoolwork, especially in major projects. Writing a research paper requires analytical thought as your worked through the main concepts or thesis. Try analyzing a favourite movie. Watch it again and notice the components, the actors, the sound effects, the costumes, the lighting and so forth. Describe the components, develop a rationale for why they were chosen and analyze whether or not they contributed to the enjoyment of the movie.Choose a metaphor for your job search. For example, is it a nightmare, or easy street, or a confusing maze, or a mystery? Analyze how your metaphor affects your behaviour.If you were going to tell an employer about your strengths in Analytic Thinking, what example(s) would you use??

9. Mindset #4: The Strategic Mindset • The strategic mindset is rational, logical and practical. It incorporates analytic thinking and draws from a systems perspective of looking at the Big Picture to solve problems. Strategic planning is a common system used by organizations to understand their current position in the marketplace, develop a vision, and plan for future opportunities. Common techniques used in strategic planning are SWOT analysis, goal setting, vision statement, and gap analysis. • Employers care about Strategic Thinking because: • It assists in priority setting It develops focus and keeps everyone on the same path of achievementIt allows for the measuring and monitoring of success and progressIt helps to ensure employee commitment to objectivesIt focuses on action

10. Mindset #4… Continued • Steps to developing your Strategic Mindset:Read a book on Strategic Planning – they can be found in almost every library or online – and attempt to apply the principles to any organization that you have been involved withTake a course on Strategic Planning online or at your local community college.Take any given problem you may have right now and apply the following:What strategy will work best to solve this problem?What challenges do I need to be aware of?What are my strengths?Where do I need to improve?Note that this can be applied to the job search process.If you were going to tell an employer about your strengths in strategic thinking, what example(s) would you use?

11. Mindset #5: The Positive Mindset • Positive thinking is not happy talk or blind optimism. Instead it is a consistent focus on strengths in any given situation – what went right, rather than what went wrong. Positive thinkers analyze the strengths, the learning, and the desired outcomes of a given situation. Many studies have indicated that positive thinking is a major component of success. • Employers care about the Positive Mindset because:A positive mindset cuts stress, boosts morale, and improves productivityThe most successful leaders have positive mindsets, and a positive mindset helps you motivate yourself and others. Optimistic workers are most resilient, less likely to quit or give up, and more likely to achieve goals and focus on their strengths.Optimistic workers are more likely to take responsibility for themselves and work independently.

12. Mindset #5… Continued • Steps to developing a Positive Mindset:How did you handle a major setback? What would a person with a positive mindset have done? Think about the times you have been “in the zone”. How can you increase the time you spend “in the zone” now?In the book “Authentic Happiness”, the author, Dr. Seligman writes that “the key is not finding the right job, it is finding a job you can make right”. He suggests changing the duties to fit your strengths. Think back on when you have done this in any job or school situation.Name three things that went right today, or more if you can think of them. Did anything go right with your job search today? Maybe this PowerPoint presentation has helped. What did you do to make them happen?Develop an attitude of gratitude by focusing on what has worked well in your life so far. Or think of three things you are grateful for today. Create a gratitude journal. • If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in using a Positive Mindset, what example(s) would you use?

13. Mindset #6: The Global Mindset • Global mindsets go beyond tolerance of another culture to appreciation and understanding. People with global mindsets study other cultures and languages and understands that our worlds are enhanced by appreciating, valuing, and incorporating ideas from other countries and cultures. • Employers care about Global Mindsets because:Most organizations are becoming increasingly international in nature as the internet has created customers around the world and there is a need for workers with global knowledge and understanding.Leaders have to have global mindsets to be able to develop far-reaching visions for their organizations.Workers who can speak other languages and understand and appreciate other cultures have skills that are valuable to the workplace.Organizations who think globally have more competitive and strategic advantage in the marketplace.

14. Mindset #6… Continued • Steps to developing a Global Mindset:Seek opportunities to immerse yourself in people, places and experiences that are out of your comfort zone.Study, work or volunteer abroad.Seek out students or individuals who are not native to your country and listen to their perspective. Become aware of any mistaken assumptions you may have about their culture.Take courses on other cultures, languages and international issues. Watch films in another language or set in other countries. • If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in using a Global Mindset, which examples(s) would you use?

15. Mindset #7: The Collaborative Mindset • You have probably experienced moments of collaboration in groups that were positive, for example, your high school choir or rock band. Good collaborators know that our thinking expands into new areas when we work with and listen to others. • Employers care about Collaborative Mindsets because: • Employers consistently list teamwork as a vital skill in their organization. • Being able to work on a team is a survival skill in the workplace, as you need to be able to communicate and work together to be efficient. • Teams are responsible for new projects, innovations or ideas, and if you want to be included you must be able to contribute to the team.

16. Mindset #7… Continued • Teams foster the sharing of information and cooperation and can bring out the best in each participant. • Teams help to foster a culture of trust. • Steps to developing a Team Mindset: Think back to when you have been part of a team. Was it a good experience? What made it a success or a failure? What did you learn from this experience? Seek opportunities to become part of a team. Join an organization, attend the meetings and be an active participant. Make a point of listening to and valuing the ideas and opinions of others. Ask yourself “What could I learn from this person or this group?” • If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in using a Team Mindset, what examples would you use?

17. Mindset #8: The Reflective Mindset • Most of us know the value of taking a moment of reflection – taking time to reflect helps us make smarter decisions. A reflective mindset is extremely powerful and the small amount of time spent in this mode will yield tremendous benefits. For reflection to be effective, you will need time and a quiet space. • Employers care about Reflective Mindsets because:A reflective mindset will help you make sound decisions. By taking the time to reflect, you can avoid errors in judgement or snap decisions made through emotional reasoning.The reflective mindset helps you stay calm and relieves stress.The reflective mindset enhances creativity.The reflective mindset gives you perspective, which is useful in solving future issues.

18. Mindset #8… Continued • Steps to developing a Reflective Mindset: Try using an online meditation site. Get into the habit of writing a journal or creating a portfolio to reflect on your experiences.Take up a hobby that allows you solitary time to reflect.Take a creative writing course which requires opinion or arguments papers.Sit in a comfortable place, relax and observe others without interacting.Take time to reflect on your classes – what did you learn, what went wrong, what went right, what would I do differently next time. • If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in Reflective Thinking, what example(s) would you use?

19. Mindset #9: The Flexible/Adaptive Mindset • Having a flexible mindset means that you limit judgements and preconceived notions. You are able to listen to information with an open mind and choose your response accordingly. Flexible thinkers are natural experimenters: curious, alert and open to change. You are more able to adapt to changes in your environment or job and “roll with the punches”. • Employers care about Flexible/Adaptive Mindsets because:Speed and agility are invaluable in today’s working environment. Organizations need to be able to react quickly to global competition, advancing technology, increasing customer expectations and the changing needs of the workplace.Flexible thinkers tend to be more successful at customer service.Flexible thinkers manage change instead of change managing them.Flexible thinkers save the organization time and money.

20. Mindset #9… Continued • Steps to developing a Flexible/Adaptable Mindset:Shake up your routine a little every day. Try something different.Read books that may not at first glance interest you.Select a topic about which you have strong opinions and argue for the other side. If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in Flexible/Adaptive thinking, which example(s) would you use?

21. Mindset #10: The Problem-Solving Mindset • The problem-solving mindset is closely aligned with the action orientation and the positive mindset. True problem solvers are not content to stop until they are sure they have finished. Problem solvers actively seek solutions and assume they will find them. They maintain their energy by keeping their focus on the outcome and looking for ways to influence it positively. • Employers care about the Problem-Solving Mindset because:Problem solving is an everyday skill in the work setting.Good problem solvers know how to ask the right questions to find the solution. They are willing to take risks and use an action approach. Problem solvers seldom hear the word “no”.Problem solvers focus on potential and planning, helping the organization to move forward.

22. Mindset #10… Continued • Steps you can take to develop the Problem-Solving Mindset:Come up with creative solutions for problems you see around you, on campus, at home or in another organization. Reframe the problem as a temporary impediment, refusing to hear the word “no”.For every problem you identify, see if you can come up with three different solutions.Think about a time when you didn’t get what you wanted. How did you handle it? What could you have done if you were thinking creatively?If you were going to tell an employer about your strength in Problem-Solving, which example(s) would you use?

23. Your Program Choice and Mindsets Be aware that your program/education choice will have an impact on your mindset. Which mindsets do you use the most in your program of study? Do you look at situations or information differently from individuals in other programs?