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The “Not Yet” Mindset in Action: Steve Jobs

In 1985, Jobs was famously fired from Apple, the company he had founded. After years of pioneering innovative products, he was pushed out by the board of directors due to internal conflicts. At this point, many people would have seen it as the end of their career.

But for Jobs, this was just a “Not Yet” moment. Instead of quitting or fading into obscurity, he used this failure as fuel for his next chapter. He went on to found NeXT, a computer platform development company, and Pixar, which later became a leader in animation. His experience with NeXT and Pixar allowed him to refine his ideas and learn valuable lessons, ultimately leading to his return to Apple in 1997.

Upon his return, Jobs transformed Apple into one of the world’s most valuable companies, launching products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad—game-changing innovations that changed the way people live, work, and communicate.

Jobs famously said, “Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love.”

His journey wasn’t a straight path to perfection, but his ability to view failure as a learning experience and his unwavering belief in his own growth potential encapsulates the “Not Yet” mindset. Jobs didn’t give up after a failure—he used it to fuel his next venture, leading to even greater achievements.

Steve Jobs’ story is a powerful reminder that setbacks don’t define our success. It’s how we respond to those setbacks—with resilience and a commitment to growth—that ultimately determines our ability to lead and innovate.

5 Actionable Tips to Embrace the Growth Mindset

1. Redefine Your Relationship with Failure

As a leader, it’s essential to reframe failure as feedback, not as a setback. The “Not Yet” mindset allows you to take a step back and learn from missteps rather than be discouraged by them.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”-Albert Einstein

Easy Win: When a project doesn’t go as planned, instead of focusing on what went wrong, schedule a 10-minute post-mortem with your team to explore what you can learn from it.

Pitfall to Avoid: Avoid the tendency to brush over mistakes to save face. This can lead to a lack of accountability and hinder growth.

2. Cultivate a Growth-Oriented Team Culture

A leader’s mindset is contagious. When you lead with the “Not Yet” mentality, you create an environment where your team feels encouraged to stretch beyond their comfort zones. This doesn’t just improve individual performance; it fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” -Winston Churchill

Easy Win: Share a recent personal failure and what you learned from it with your team. Transparency sets the stage for an open dialogue about growth.

Pitfall to Avoid: Don’t demand immediate results or perfection from your team. Growth takes time, and pressure for immediate success can stifle creativity.

3. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection

Great leaders know that progress is often more important than perfection. When you recognize and celebrate even small advancements, you help your team build momentum and confidence. This creates a healthy cycle of growth.

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” -George Bernard Shaw

Easy Win: In your next team meeting, celebrate one small win from each team member. Acknowledge the effort, the learning, and the forward momentum.

Pitfall to Avoid: Don’t only celebrate the big wins. Overlooking smaller progress can result in disengagement and a fixed mindset.

4. Model Resilience and Adaptability

Leaders set the tone for resilience. Embrace setbacks and model how to pivot and adapt. When you demonstrate adaptability, you empower your team to face challenges with flexibility and optimism.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” -Confucius

Easy Win: Practice adaptive thinking by asking your team for input on how to adjust a current project. This shows that you value their contributions and that change is part of the process.

Pitfall to Avoid: Avoid the “my way or the highway” mentality. Resisting new ideas or feedback can stifle innovation and prevent growth.

5. Encourage Self-Reflection and Continuous Learning

One of the best ways to foster a growth mindset is by encouraging your team to reflect on their progress and continuously seek opportunities to learn. By prioritizing learning, you create a team that embraces improvement and development, not perfection.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss

Easy Win: Set aside time each week for self-reflection. Ask your team to identify one area where they can improve and one step they can take toward growth.

Pitfall to Avoid: Avoid overlooking self-reflection for busyness. It’s crucial to dedicate time for growth, even during the busiest of weeks.

Resources

Book Recommendation: “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck

Dweck’s book is a must-read for understanding the profound impact of mindset on success. It explores the difference between a fixed and growth mindset and how you can cultivate the latter for personal and professional growth.

App/Tool Recommendation: Headspace: Headspace is a mindfulness app that helps you develop mental resilience and focus—two key elements of a growth mindset. It offers daily exercises to improve clarity, reduce stress, and build a more resilient mindset.

Learning Opportunity:

Podcast Recommendation: “The Ed Mylett Show”

Ed Mylett interviews top performers in business, sports, entertainment, and beyond. The focus is on uncovering the habits, routines, and mindsets that have led to their success. This is a fantastic resource for gaining insights on leadership, overcoming challenges, and achieving personal growth.

Time to Take Action!

This week, take a few minutes to reflect on an area of your leadership where you’ve been holding out for perfection. Challenge yourself to adopt the “Not Yet” mindset and set a goal to grow in this area.

Leaders, by embracing the growth mindset, you empower yourself and your team to turn setbacks into comebacks. Take the first step today—what will you start learning and growing in today?

By shifting from the pressure of perfection to the mindset of growth, you’ll be setting yourself and your team up for lasting success.

Whenever you are ready, there are 2 ways I can help:

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