Ever wonder why some team members seem to stay stuck—avoiding new challenges, resisting change, or needing constant reassurance?

It’s easy to assume it’s a “them” problem.

But what if it’s not?

What if the growth we want to see in others actually begins with how we see them—and ourselves?

At PayrollHR Hawaii, we’re building a leadership approach rooted in Servant Leadership—but adapted for Hawaii’s values and workplaces. We call it Living Lokahi Leadership because it honors harmony between self, others, and the environment—the essence of the Lokahi Triangle.

In this article, we’re diving into the Growth Mindset—a powerful concept that can change the way you lead, coach, and connect with your team.

Let’s begin with what might be getting in the way.

The Trap of the Fixed Mindset
When leaders unintentionally adopt a Fixed Mindset, they assume:

• Some people are just “not leadership material”
• Certain employees “don’t have what it takes”
• Mistakes are failures, not learning moments

This creates a workplace where people play it safe, avoid feedback, and shrink away from responsibility.

And here in Hawaiʻi, where recruiting is already difficult and turnover is high_Hawaii Employer Strugg…—that kind of environment can’t last.

The Growth Mindset Shift
The opposite of this is what psychologist Carol Dweck calls the Growth Mindset—the belief that talent and intelligence aren’t fixed traits, but can be developed through effort, feedback, and persistence (Dweck, 2006).

Leaders with a growth mindset see potential where others see limits. They:

• Offer feedback as a gift, not a weapon
• Celebrate effort, not just outcomes
• Help team members learn from challenges rather than avoid them
• See their own leadership as a practice, not a finished product

When we lead this way, we unlock something powerful: we stop managing performance and start developing people.

Growth in a Lokahi Context
Living Lokahi Leadership takes this a step further. It invites us to hold this growth mindset within the values of aloha, kuleana, and mālama.

We don’t push people to grow out of pressure—we support them out of care.

We see each person as part of the whole. And when one person grows, the whole team gets stronger.

That kind of workplace is rare. And incredibly sticky.

Because when people feel invested in—not judged—they stay.

Real-World Tip: Foster Growth Conversations
Want a quick way to apply this?

Try this with a team member this week:

“I see real potential in you. What’s something you’d love to get better at in your role? Let’s work on it together.”

No lecture. No pressure. Just belief.

Sometimes all someone needs is someone who sees them as becoming, not just performing.

Next Up in the Series…
In the next article, we’ll explore how Living Lokahi Leadership redefines success—not just as results, but as the legacy you leave in your people and community.

Because in Hawaiʻi, success isn’t just about growth charts—it’s about growth that matters.

With care,
Donna
Founder, PayrollHR Hawaii
#LokahiLeadership #GrowthMindsetInHawaii

References
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.

Servant Leadership Academy. (2025). Servant Leader Mindset [PDF documents]Servant Leader MindsetServant Leader Mindset 2.