POSSIBILITY IS A CHOICE-A MINDSET

Most people think possibility is something you either have or don’t—like luck, talent, or the right circumstances. But what if possibility isn’t something that appears out there, rather something you create?

This shift in perspective changes everything. It’s not about waiting for the right moment or hoping for external conditions to align. It’s about how you choose to see what’s in front of you, or how you think about what’s in front of you.  And for leaders, that choice determines whether they drive progress and growth, or get stuck in limitation and doubt. Somethings they may not realize they are operating from.

The Lens of Possibility

Two people can look at the same situation, one sees a dead end, the other sees an open door. What makes the difference?

Mindset. When I work with a leader who is dealing with a difficult or challenging situation, I will often ask “What does this make possible?” They look at me as if stunned, then I see them internalize this question. They wonder, “yeah, what does this make possible?”

Carol Dweck, the psychologist behind the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset, explains it like this:

A fixed mindset believes abilities and circumstances are set in stone. “This is just the way things are.” Or, “this is just the way I am.”

A growth mindset sees everything as adaptable. Challenges are temporary, setbacks are learning experiences, and skills can be developed.

The way you view yourself and your situation—through a fixed or growth mindset shapes what feels possible. When a leader lives from the possibility mindset, they inspire those around them to do the same. It’s not that they don’t notice obstacles, they certainly do. However, they also notice the possibility of various outcomes, not just the one that’s seems obvious or that’s right in front of them.

Possibility Isn’t Found or Discovered. It’s Chosen.

Choosing possibility means leaning into what could be, even when the path isn’t clear yet. It means making a decision to believe there’s a way forward, even when obstacles seem overwhelming.

Here’s what it takes:
Recognize that limits are often self-imposed.
Be willing to experiment with the unknown.
Embrace setbacks as part of progress.
Stay curious about what’s beyond the current horizon.

When leaders operate from this mindset, they create teams that aren’t afraid to take risks, push boundaries, and challenge outdated thinking. They ask, “What if?” and “Why not?” and What else?” they encourage others to do the same.

The Cost of a Fixed Mindset

History is full of bold declarations that something was “impossible” right before it happened.

“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.” —Lord Kelvin, 1895

“There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home.” —Ken Olsen, 1977

“The internet will catastrophically collapse in 1996.” —Robert Metcalfe, 1995

These weren’t just bad predictions. They were examples of a fixed mindset in action—an inability to see beyond the current reality.

Leaders who think this way miss out on opportunities. They stay safe. They avoid risks. And in doing so, they guarantee stagnation.

How Leaders Cultivate Possibility

If you want to be a leader who opens doors rather than closes them, here’s what to practice:

Create a culture where risks are safe to take.
Teams shut down when they fear failure. Leaders who cultivate psychological safety encourage innovation, knowing that big wins often come from trial and error.

Ask better questions.

Instead of “Can we do this?” ask “How might we do this?” One assumes limitation, the other assumes possibility.

Reframe obstacles as creative challenges.
What if constraints weren’t barriers but invitations to think differently? Many breakthroughs happen because of limits, not in spite of them.

Publicly recognize the strengths in your people.
When people feel seen, they step up. When they feel trusted, they take bold action. The way you speak about their potential shapes what they believe is possible.

Living in Possibility

Living in possibility isn’t about blind optimism. It’s about a pragmatic openness to what’s next, or what could be next? They see the cracks in the walls as potential doorways.

The shift from “Can this be done?” to “How might we do this?” is simple, but it changes everything.

The Choice Is Yours

Possibility isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you step into. It’s a choice, a practice.

Leaders who choose it, who see beyond the limitations and create new paths forward, are the ones who shape the future.

The real question isn’t whether possibility exists. It’s whether you’ll decide to see and embrace it, even when it’s uncomfortable.