In the fourth quarter of a heated rivalry game, a quarterback sits buried on the depth chart. Instead of sulking, he studies every detail of the starters ahead of him — the angle of the wrist, the force behind the throw — and quietly reinvents his game. Years later, Steve Young would become an NFL legend.
Psychologist David Yeager has spent his career studying what separates those who stay stuck from those who leap ahead. A protégé of Carol Dweck, David led the largest growth mindset experiment in history, showing that small, well-designed interventions can change beliefs — and outcomes — for years. His work spans from high school sports teams to global corporations like McDonald’s and Walmart, where mindset shifts are boosting performance and reducing turnover.
In this episode, David breaks down the science of belief change, the art of unthreatening upward comparison, and why stress isn’t your enemy — it’s a wave you can ride. From Chip Engelland’s “good miss” philosophy to the Seattle Mariners’ 1% better rule, he connects research with real-world examples leaders can put into play today.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Strategies for building teams where curiosity, not fear, drives improvement.
- A two-part mindset shift that can turn performance anxiety into peak performance.
- How to turn comparison into a catalyst for personal and team growth.
Resources:
- Learn more about what David Yeager can bring to your team
- Order his book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life
- Watch his Masterclass on The Power of Mindset
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Greg Brenneman
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
John C. Maxwell
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Simon Sinek
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Beth Brooke
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
Rick Hendrick
“We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
Bill George
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
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