Why Every Lawyer Needs a Growth Mindset (And How to Develop One)

Many lawyers believe they already have a growth mindset. After all, we're trained to learn, adapt, and solve complex problems. 

And it was hard to get into law school, and then graduate from it! So, surely that must mean we all have growth mindsets, right? 

Wrong.  

Here's the reality: most of us have growth mindsets in some areas of our practice while maintaining fixed mindsets in others—often without realising it.

The Hidden Fixed Mindsets in Legal Practice

You might embrace continuous learning when it comes to legal research but tell yourself "I'm just not good at negotiation" or "I can't do public speaking." These limiting beliefs create invisible barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential.

The legal profession's culture of expertise and perfectionism compounds this challenge. We're trained to be experts in the law. Many legal workplaces are also highly competitive environments where admitting uncertainty feels risky.

The pressure to have all the answers immediately can be overwhelming, particularly for junior practitioners who put unrealistic expectations on themselves.

What Growth Mindset Really Means

A growth mindset, an idea developed by Carol Dweck, is the belief that your abilities and intelligence aren't fixed traits—they can be developed through dedication, effort, and the right strategies. It's understanding that where you are now is simply a starting point, not your final destination.  

This doesn't mean ignoring our professional obligations or accepting substandard work. We still have duties to our clients and must maintain high standards. Rather, it's about balancing excellence with the reality that mistakes are inevitable learning opportunities.

The Transformation Begins with One Word

Here's a simple but powerful shift: every time you catch yourself thinking "I can't do this" or "I'm not good at that," add the word "yet" to the end of your sentence. This tiny change opens up possibilities and reframes challenges as opportunities for growth.

Practical Applications for Lawyers

When you receive feedback covered in red pen, instead of thinking "I'm terrible at this," try "I'm not quite there yet—what do I need to learn?" When facing a new area of law, replace "This is too complex" with "This is complex, but I can figure it out with the right approach."

The Ripple Effect

Adopting a growth mindset doesn't just improve your legal practice—it transforms how you approach challenges across all areas of life. It builds resilience, encourages experimentation, and opens doors to possibilities you never imagined.

The legal world is rapidly evolving with AI, technology, and changing client expectations. The lawyers who will thrive aren't those who have all the answers, but those willing to learn, adapt, and grow.

Your mindset isn't fixed—and that's exactly why you can change it! 

If you'd like to explore how you can begin to foster a growth mindset you can listen to our podcast above (or follow it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts/Music).  And if you'd like to go even deeper, you can explore our 1 hour seminar on Growth Mindsets, which may qualify as 1 CPD point in your jurisdiction, here.