Mastering Growth Mindset in Project Management
SECOND EDITION
By Dr. Arden Dudek
North Texas, USA
INTRODUCTION
Envision leading a project team in a dynamic environment where change is constant. What if fostering a growth mindset could transform your team’s resilience and adaptability while delivering high-quality results? Imagine a scenario where continuous learning and development are ingrained in your project management practices. Guided by my Clifton Strengths of Learner and Input, I have applied versatile theories and techniques throughout my project leadership career. This paper explores how John Maxwell’s High Road Leadership principles (2024) and the Agile Manifesto Values and Principles (Beck, 2001a; Beck, 2001b) can cultivate team growth and elevate project management practices.
First, I emphasize the importance of a growth mindset in project management and its impact on resilience and sustainability. Next, I explore strategies for integrating values-based growth principles with Agile methodologies. This enhances adaptability and continuous improvement using what I term Leadership Agility™. Through case studies, I reflect on the application of a growth mindset in various project management scenarios, demonstrating how Leadership Agility™ benefits Agile, Predictive (Waterfall), and Hybrid project management methods. Finally, I will discuss practical ways to foster a culture of continuous learning and development. Leadership Agility™ is a mindset, not just a set of Agile practices. This mindset enhances communication across all levels, from executives to project managers and their teams.
EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF A GROWTH MINDSET
A growth mindset, as defined by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that a person’s capacities and talents can be improved over time through effort, learning, and persistence (2016). This concept is foundational in understanding how individuals and organizations can mature through difficult changes and deliver higher value. Dweck’s research shows that individuals with a growth mindset achieve stronger outcomes by seeking help from colleagues, trying new strategies, and overcoming setbacks (2016). Resilience and sustainability are key dimensions of a growth mindset. Resilience refers to the ability to adjust to change (Merriam-Webster, n.d.-a) while sustainability involves maintaining long-term success and momentum (Merriam-Webster, n.d.-b). These qualities are exactly what project managers desire from their teams.
Even before Dweck’s “growth mindset” term was introduced in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006), other classic leaders and educators laid the foundation. Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989) emphasizes individual responsibility for professional and personal growth through continuous improvement. Covey states, “The key to growth is to learn to make promises and to keep them” (Covey S., n.d.). This proactive approach is essential for project managers navigating complex environments…
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Editor’s note: Second Editions are previously published papers that have continued relevance in today’s project management world, or which were originally published in conference proceedings or in a language other than English. Original publication acknowledged; authors retain copyright. This paper was originally presented at the 17th Project Management Symposium at the University of Texas at Dallas in May 2025. It is republished here with the author’s permission.
How to cite this paper: Dudek, A. (2025). Leadership Agility: Mastering Growth Mindset in Project Management; Originally presented at the 17th Project Management Symposium at the University of Texas at Dallas in May, republished in the PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue VII, July. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/pmwj154-Jul2025-Dudek-Leaderhip-Agility-Mastering-Growth-Mindset.pdf
About the Author
Dr. Arden Dudek
Texas, USA
Dr. Arden Dudek is the Founder and Principal Planner of Planning Management Consulting LLC, where she guides organizations to achieve strategic alignment from the C-suite to project teams, ensuring effective stakeholder benefits. As a certified member of the John Maxwell Leadership Team, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in values-based leadership development. With a passion for continuous learning and a knack for gathering versatile theories and techniques, Dr. Arden excels in coaching leaders and teams to achieve higher value at a faster pace. She specializes in maturing Project Management Offices by 30% and consulting on the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
Dr. Arden successfully launched and directed PMOs in Banking and Higher Education. She also led a Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) Work Request process for Wall Street’s largest, most successful Merger and Acquisition. Her Agile team managed priorities and trade-offs of 150+ requests for $12M of IT work not originally scoped for the integration within 18 months.
Dr. Arden published her higher education administration dissertation, Exploring University Project Management Presence as Related to Organizational Models, and contributed to A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)—Fourth Edition. At Planning Management Consulting LLC, she collaborates with CIOs and Directors of PMOs to navigate strategic priorities. She helps mature businesses that are ready to scale and provides expert project management and leadership solutions. Dr. Dudek helps you clarify your strategy, prioritize your projects, and build teams of servant leaders.
Dr. Dudek can be contacted at ArdenDudek@PlanningMgmtConsulting.com
