How Cultures of Growth by Mary C. Murphy Reveals the Power of Environment in Shaping Mindset

Reading Cultures of Growth by Mary C. Murphy was truly eye-opening for me. One of the biggest insights I took away is that having a growth mindset isn't a simple, linear journey. Instead, our mindset continuously adapts depending on the environment we're in and the people we work and share our lives with.

This means that the external culture and the relationships around us play a huge role in shaping how we think, learn, and grow. It made me realize that growth is deeply influenced by the cultures we belong to, whether at work, home, or within teams.

Another powerful moment for me came near the end of the book on page 250, where Murphy discusses an idea that resonated with something I recently encountered in the ORSC Geography module the concept of a “state” or “other self” within us. It reminded me how our sense of self and mindset isn’t fixed but is relational and influenced by the systems and environments around us. This has deepened my understanding of how personal growth is intertwined with the cultures and relationships we inhabit.

This book is a great fit for anyone interested in understanding how mindset is shaped not just individually but collectively through the environments and relationships around us. It is especially valuable for leaders and managers who want to encourage a culture that encourages learning, risk-taking, and collaboration within their teams or organizations. Coaches, educators, and organizational development professionals will gain practical insights into how to nurture growth mindsets in groups and systems rather than focusing solely on the individual.

Additionally, this book resonates with those involved in personal growth journeys who want to deepen their understanding of how external influences such as family, friends, and work cultures impact their mindset and capacity to grow. For practitioners of relational coaching modalities like ORSC, the exploration of the “other self” and systemic influences on mindset is particularly relevant and enriches the way they view individual and collective transformation.

In summary, Cultures of Growth is ideal for:

• Team leaders and organizational leaders focused on culture-building

• Coaches and educators who facilitate mindset shifts

• Professionals in organizational development and HR

• Individuals interested in personal growth within relational and systemic contexts

• Anyone curious about the dynamic relationship between self, culture, and learning

It offers both scientific insights and practical strategies to understand and cultivate environments where growth mindsets can thrive.