Growth Mindset Special Interest Group (SIG)

SIG Objective: Explore how to best translate the concept of Growth Mindset to adult learners in development programs.

Description: Growth Mindset is a popular concept across many corporate training initiatives and programs. While there is much support for this concept within talent development circles and many can share positive stories of potential positive outcomes, the concept also has its critics. There are multiple thought leaders who question the validity of both the data and/or the approaches used to employ mindset in general.

So where does reality lie? The focus of this Special Interest Group is to explore this question, along with what the implications mean to us as an adult learning community. The ultimate outcome of this journey will not be to establish a definitive answer but rather equip members to create their own informed opinions through increasing their understanding of both the potential arguments for and against the concept.

 

See below for the session schedule.  Click here to register for this SIG.

 

Virtual Sessions:

The dialog takes place over five virtual sessions. Registered participants will be sent the virtual meeting logon information 24 hours in advance of the session. Virtual meeting times are:

Session 1: September 15, 2025 (Monday) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - What exactly is Growth Mindset?  How has it been used effectively?

Session 2: October 13, 2025 (Monday) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - What are the criticisms? How have you seen it fall short? 

Session 3: November 10, 2025 (Monday) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Does neuroscience support Growth Mindset?

Session 4: January 12, 2026 (Monday) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - How do adult learning principles inform design and development? 

Session 5: March 9, 2026 (Monday) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - How can we implement and measure?

In-Person Opportunities:

Additionally, three in-person sessions enhance the journey for local participants. 

·         Networking Meet-up at the State-wide Conference: October 23, 2025 - For those who plan to attend the State-wide Conference, our SIG will have networking opportunities at breakfast and lunch.  Note: Registration in this SIG does not include the State-wide Conference registration.  To register visit: ATD RMC State-wide Conference 2025: Rooted in Connection

·         Growth Mindset Workout: February 4, 2026 February's monthly program meeting be held at Arrow Electronics and will feature a development session developed by SIG leader Joel Lamoreaux. It was developed with adult learners in mind and represents an example of one possible (albeit imperfect) approach. The session was very well received in the past and was featured as a case study workshop at the Maise Learning Conference in 2019.  This meeting is included in the cost of the SIG for non-members.

·         Networking Happy Hour:  April 15, 2026 While completely optional, a final opportunity for SIG members to enjoy personal interaction and informal sharing of both learnings and unanswered questions. Location TBD.

SIG Facilitator: Joel Lamoreaux

A member of Americas Employee Capability Team at Arrow Electronics, I presently focus on talent development program management and talent process execution. Prior to joining Arrow, I did similar work for a large financial services company – enabling talent processes and designing learning solutions that supported organizational transformation. During this time (about 20 years), I have had the opportunity to design, develop and facilitate sessions that include growth mindset as part of the learning content. This journey has resulted in an internal view that both deeply supports and questions the what, the how and the why of this concept. This SIG is meant to explore both sides (evangelist and critic), enabling each of us to create an informed point of view around if, when, and how it should be incorporated into our approach        to talent development.