The Red Pen Effect

Think back to your school days. Do you remember the red pen? The sharp contrast of red ink circling a mistake, crossing out a misspelled word, or marking an incorrect answer? The red pen often signaled, “You’re wrong,” rather than, “You’re learning.” And for many of us, those red marks left an impression far beyond the classroom. They shaped how we viewed mistakes, learning, and even our self-worth.

 Fast forward to the work you’re currently doing with children and families. Your role is crucial, and the experiences you provide can shape their future. Many of us carry an ingrained fear of making mistakes, stemming from early experiences where our mistakes were highlighted without encouragement. The result often is an association between making mistakes and “being” a failure. Over time, this messaging can lead to a fixed mindset, where individuals avoid challenges for fear of failure.

 This can result in teams who:

·       hesitate in trying new approaches

·       are resistant to feedback and growth

·       rarely collaborate or take risks

·       are experiencing burnout or increased stress

 So, how do highly effective teams work around this?

They do so by embracing and nurturing a growth mindset. This powerful belief in the potential for abilities and intelligence to develop with effort, feedback, and perseverance is transformative.  It doesn’t just focus on current challenges—it fosters a culture of learning, adaptability, and continuous improvement. Imagine the innovation, collaboration, and resilience that could flourish in your programs with such a mindset.

 Take a moment to imagine what your programs would look like if your teams operated with a growth mindset.

 The question is… how do we get them there, and how do we maintain this mindset and even sustain it over time?

 Stay tuned for strategies we can use that are low-cost and time-effective. These strategies can support your teams in developing and sustaining a growth mindset over time.

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect (deidre.harris@teamagreements.com) if you’re looking for support with developing your teams.