Changing one's mind
Although much of this book is designed to be informative and perhaps even enlightening, the thrust of the book is actually that the reader might have to change their mind about certain subjects. For instance, there is the issue about one's belief in their own ability. Instead of having concrete understandings of their potential, Dweck worries that many people are trapped in false ideas. Some people think they can do everything, and some believe they can't do anything, and in both cases, Dweck says they will have to adjust their perception.
Aiming for excellence
By studying champions in the sports arena and in business, Dweck is encouraging his reader to aim not for money or power, but to consider their own potential. The purpose of championship and success is that the person will become as excellent as they can be by maximizing their time, their goals, and their strategies for succeeding. By aiming for excellence, it is implied that a person will have to practice at whatever they do.
Influence and leadership
Not only does this book encourage an executive leadership style, it also encourages the reader to consider who their role models have been. The point is that some people might have views of leadership that have been shaped by other people, for better and for worse. In order to become a leader, Dweck says a person will have to reconsider all the beliefs they accepted during their childhood. There are good role models, and there are frustrating role models. He mentions teachers who make failure into a bad thing, for instance, but failure is essential he says.
