What is a Mindset?

What is the entrepreneurial mindset?

To arrive at a definition, we must first dig into the meaning of the words “entrepreneurial” and “mindset” separately. We start by examining the definition of mindset, which serves as our foundation, and then move on to what it means to be entrepreneurial. A mindset is defined by Merriam-Webster as a “mental attitude or inclination.”

As further elaborated upon by Thum (2012):

In her book entitled Mindset, Carol Dweck (2006) acknowledges that a mindset can be fixed or growth oriented. While a fixed mindset assumes your talents and abilities are set, the growth mindset believes your talents and abilities can be developed. Yet, Dweck is quick to point out that a mindset can change. Much of this occurs through developing a greater awareness of your current mindset, and taking steps to purposely start thinking and reacting in new ways. From an academic standpoint, the mindset concept comes out of the cognitive psychology and organization theory fields. Gupta and Govindrarajam (2002: 116– 117) summarize the findings from this literature as they pertain to individuals:

1. As human beings, we are limited in our ability to absorb and process information. Thus, we are constantly challenged by the complexity, ambiguity, and dynamism of the information environment around us.

2. We address this challenge through a process of filtration. We are selective in what we absorb and biased in how we interpret it. The term mindset refers to these cognitive filters.

3. Our mindsets are a product of our histories and evolve through an interactive process. Our current mindset guides the collection and interpretation of new information. To the extent that this new information is consistent with the current mindset, it reinforces that mindset. From time to time, however, new information appears that is truly novel and inconsistent with the existing mindset. When this happens, we either reject the new information or change our mindset. The likelihood that our mindsets will undergo a change depends largely on how explicitly self-conscious we are of our current mindsets: the more the hidden and subconscious our cognitive filters, the greater the likelihood of rigidity.

Thus, while our mindsets can be shaped by an intentional awareness, they are also largely driven by our experiences and what we are (intentionally or unintentionally) exposed to. What does this mean for engineering educators? For starters, we have a direct way of influencing the mindset of the students through the experiences we provide them with in our classes. Yet, as mindsets evolve through an interactive process, it is not simply a “one and done” effort. Rather, it must be reinforced and practiced. In this sense, a mindset is a habit that requires practice.

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