1+1: Use the difficulty + Growth mindset assessment

Here's one leadership idea and one resource I’ve found beneficial in the past two weeks:

1 idea: Use the difficulty

Sir Michael Caine has lived a remarkable life. Born in the slums of London, the tenacious and witty actor has played major roles in some of my favorite movies (Alfred in the Batman trilogy and Lawrence in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, to name two). Over a remarkable career spanning more than seven decades, Caine has amassed multiple Academy Awards and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth before retiring at age 90 (90!?).

Caine sums up his life philosophy—and the key to much of his success—in three simple words: “Use the difficulty.”

Early in his career, Caine was rehearsing a play when an unexpected problem occurred. As he opened a door to come on stage, he found a chair blocking his entrance. Thrown off, he apologized to the director. “I’m sorry sir, I can’t get in,” he said. “Use the difficulty!” shouted the director. Caine was confused, so the director explained. “If it's a comedy, fall over the chair. If it's a drama, pick it up and smash it. Use the difficulty!”

For Caine, that insight took root. He realized that it applied to all of life, not just acting. He now understood that every adversity could be mined for value if he was willing to exert the effort.

His terrifying time on the front lines of the Korean War provided the emotional reserves he'd need when trying to portray fear on screen. His father’s rapid health decline inspired a similar role for himself. “There's never anything so bad that you cannot use that difficulty. If you can use it a quarter of one percent to your advantage, you're ahead. You didn't let it get you down.”

Caine embodies the growth mindset—the third pillar of Humbler Leadership. Growth-minded people approach challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, not threats to their wellbeing. This commitment to learning through adversity not only boosts performance but mental health too because setbacks feel less daunting. With a growth mindset, a difficulty is no longer a deal-breaker.

Whatever challenge you are facing, consider how you could use that difficulty. Life does not always feel like a gift, but if you’re willing to dig for it, every difficulty provides an opportunity.

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• How could your smaller budget force you to be more focused and creative?

• How could this difficult person help you develop new skills or traits that will benefit you elsewhere?

• How could your personal limitation enable you to empower others more?

1 resource: Growth mindset assessment 

How strong is your growth mindset—and how can you improve it? To answer that question, check out the official growth mindset questionnaire from Dr. Carol Dweck. This 8-question assessment will help you identify where you are on the fixed/growth continuum and what the next step might look like for you.

PS: Leslie Nielsen just doesn’t care anymore.