Understanding Growth Mindset
At its core, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This contrasts with a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their talents and abilities are innate gifts and largely unchangeable. Dr. Carol Dweck, the psychologist behind the concept, emphasises that embracing a growth mindset can lead to a love of learning and resilience essential for great accomplishment.
Why It Matters in Esports
In esports, where skills can always be honed, strategies can be improved, and new games and even updates can disrupt the status quo, a growth mindset is invaluable. Young players often face challenges that test their resolve: from mastering complex game mechanics to dealing with losses in scrims. A growth mindset can transform these challenges into opportunities for learning and development, rather than insurmountable obstacles with negative
How to Foster a Growth Mindset: 7 step process for Esports Coaches
1. Praise the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Esports is as much about the journey as it is about the victory. Recognize and praise the effort, strategy, and persistence your players show. This reinforces the value of hard work and learning, rather than just winning. We wrote about the power of praise in a recent blog which can be read here: “The Power of Praise”.
2. Embrace Failures as Learning Opportunities
In esports, every loss is a lesson. Encourage players to analyse their gameplay, understand what went wrong, and how they can improve. This approach helps them see failures as steps towards mastery, rather than setbacks.
3. Set Growth-Oriented Goals
Work with players to set personal goals focused on skill development and learning, rather than just winning matches. This might include mastering a new strategy, improving a mechanical skill, improving teamwork, or increasing proficiency with a particular role. Goals are important so make sure not to set out-of-reach unrealistic goals, make sure to properly celebrate the goals once achieved too.
4. Encourage Challenges
Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is key to growth. Motivate players to take on challenges - whether it's playing against stronger opponents, playing new maps, learning new roles, mastering a game mechanic, or trying different strategies. This builds resilience and adaptability, it also allows for a change of pace if players are feeling stagnant or are not currently enjoying the game as much as they were.
5. Promote Reflective Practice
Encourage players to reflect on their performances, individually and as a team. What did they learn? What can they do differently next time? What did they do well? Reflection creates a mindset geared towards continuous improvement.
Make sure that as the coach, you show them how to properly frame feedback in a group environment but also keep in mind that the time for feedback is best suited for after the game and not during the heat of the moment in-game.
When we talk about feedback as a group, it's not about pointing fingers. It's about building each other up. Use this list as a frame for how your esports athletes create feedback in the group:
Start with the Positive: Everyone did something amazing. We should highlight those moments. What moves were game-changers? Who called a good round? Who made a clutch play? This isn't just feel-good; it's recognizing strengths and building on them.
Constructive Criticism: Here's where they grow. If something didn't go as planned, we should talk about it—not as a failure, but as a learning opportunity. What can we do differently next time? How can we turn this into our next win? Remember, it's never personal. It's about the game.
Encourage Self-Reflection: Take a moment to think about your own performance. What did you learn? How can you leverage this in the next game? Self-reflection is a powerful tool for improvement.
Dialogue, Not Monologue: Feedback is a two-way street. Got a different take on the game? Share it. Every perspective is valuable and can help players see the full picture.
6. Model a Growth Mindset
Coaches are role models. Don’t be afraid to share your own anecdotes, displaying your own commitment to learning, being open about your challenges, and showing how you work to overcome them can inspire your players to adopt the same attitude.
7. Foster a Supportive Team Environment
Create an environment where players feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and support each other’s learning journey. A team that learns together grows together.
Here are two main points that the ECA feel are important and the easiest to implement into any esports program.
Team-Building Activities: Incorporate team-building activities into the esports curriculum to strengthen bonds among students. These activities can range from icebreaker games and group discussions to collaborative gameplay sessions and problem-solving challenges. Team-building activities promote cooperation, trust, and cohesion within a group.
Inclusive Atmosphere: Ensure that the esports sessions are inclusive and welcoming to all participants. Everyone should feel valued and respected regardless of their skill level, background, or interests. Promote diversity and celebrate the unique strengths that each team member brings to the table.
Conclusion
In esports coaching, especially at the grassroots level, fostering a growth mindset can make all the difference. It’s about creating a culture that values learning, resilience, and continuous improvement. By encouraging a growth mindset, coaches can help young players not only enhance their esports skills but also develop life skills that will serve them well beyond the gaming arena. Embrace the principles of growth mindset encouragement, and watch your players—and your esports program—transform.
Want to learn more about how to run a successful esports program? Go to www.eca.gg/education to learn more!
Understanding Growth Mindset
At its core, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This contrasts with a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their talents and abilities are innate gifts and largely unchangeable. Dr. Carol Dweck, the psychologist behind the concept, emphasises that embracing a growth mindset can lead to a love of learning and resilience essential for great accomplishment.
Why It Matters in Esports
In esports, where skills can always be honed, strategies can be improved, and new games and even updates can disrupt the status quo, a growth mindset is invaluable. Young players often face challenges that test their resolve: from mastering complex game mechanics to dealing with losses in scrims. A growth mindset can transform these challenges into opportunities for learning and development, rather than insurmountable obstacles with negative
How to Foster a Growth Mindset: 7 step process for Esports Coaches
1. Praise the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Esports is as much about the journey as it is about the victory. Recognize and praise the effort, strategy, and persistence your players show. This reinforces the value of hard work and learning, rather than just winning. We wrote about the power of praise in a recent blog which can be read here: “The Power of Praise”.
2. Embrace Failures as Learning Opportunities
In esports, every loss is a lesson. Encourage players to analyse their gameplay, understand what went wrong, and how they can improve. This approach helps them see failures as steps towards mastery, rather than setbacks.
3. Set Growth-Oriented Goals
Work with players to set personal goals focused on skill development and learning, rather than just winning matches. This might include mastering a new strategy, improving a mechanical skill, improving teamwork, or increasing proficiency with a particular role. Goals are important so make sure not to set out-of-reach unrealistic goals, make sure to properly celebrate the goals once achieved too.
4. Encourage Challenges
Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is key to growth. Motivate players to take on challenges - whether it's playing against stronger opponents, playing new maps, learning new roles, mastering a game mechanic, or trying different strategies. This builds resilience and adaptability, it also allows for a change of pace if players are feeling stagnant or are not currently enjoying the game as much as they were.
5. Promote Reflective Practice
Encourage players to reflect on their performances, individually and as a team. What did they learn? What can they do differently next time? What did they do well? Reflection creates a mindset geared towards continuous improvement.
Make sure that as the coach, you show them how to properly frame feedback in a group environment but also keep in mind that the time for feedback is best suited for after the game and not during the heat of the moment in-game.
When we talk about feedback as a group, it's not about pointing fingers. It's about building each other up. Use this list as a frame for how your esports athletes create feedback in the group:
Start with the Positive: Everyone did something amazing. We should highlight those moments. What moves were game-changers? Who called a good round? Who made a clutch play? This isn't just feel-good; it's recognizing strengths and building on them.
Constructive Criticism: Here's where they grow. If something didn't go as planned, we should talk about it—not as a failure, but as a learning opportunity. What can we do differently next time? How can we turn this into our next win? Remember, it's never personal. It's about the game.
Encourage Self-Reflection: Take a moment to think about your own performance. What did you learn? How can you leverage this in the next game? Self-reflection is a powerful tool for improvement.
Dialogue, Not Monologue: Feedback is a two-way street. Got a different take on the game? Share it. Every perspective is valuable and can help players see the full picture.
6. Model a Growth Mindset
Coaches are role models. Don’t be afraid to share your own anecdotes, displaying your own commitment to learning, being open about your challenges, and showing how you work to overcome them can inspire your players to adopt the same attitude.
7. Foster a Supportive Team Environment
Create an environment where players feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and support each other’s learning journey. A team that learns together grows together.
Here are two main points that the ECA feel are important and the easiest to implement into any esports program.
Team-Building Activities: Incorporate team-building activities into the esports curriculum to strengthen bonds among students. These activities can range from icebreaker games and group discussions to collaborative gameplay sessions and problem-solving challenges. Team-building activities promote cooperation, trust, and cohesion within a group.
Inclusive Atmosphere: Ensure that the esports sessions are inclusive and welcoming to all participants. Everyone should feel valued and respected regardless of their skill level, background, or interests. Promote diversity and celebrate the unique strengths that each team member brings to the table.
Conclusion
In esports coaching, especially at the grassroots level, fostering a growth mindset can make all the difference. It’s about creating a culture that values learning, resilience, and continuous improvement. By encouraging a growth mindset, coaches can help young players not only enhance their esports skills but also develop life skills that will serve them well beyond the gaming arena. Embrace the principles of growth mindset encouragement, and watch your players—and your esports program—transform.
Want to learn more about how to run a successful esports program? Go to www.eca.gg/education to learn more!