Have you ever led a person or group from closed, or limiting ideas into vibrant open minded results that continue to breathe and grow and flourish with practice? Implementing a few “SECRET SAUCE” strategies can significantly enhance the mental and emotional well-being of seniors by fostering a growth mindset. In a list below we trouble-shoot problems that arise in many gatherings or meetings, where participants feel bored, frustrated or intimidated. While essential elements for growth rarely all show up in any gathering, the facilitator’s role is to see what growth mindset element is missing and guide its progress into tangible benefits for all. Seniors can trouble-shoot common problems and use the secret sauce strategies outlined below for mental and emotional well-being regardless of age or situation.
When asked how we get growth mindset results from fixed mindset encounters, I refer to the Mita Mental Growth Checklist below. Developed over 50 years, these essential elements flourished in 20 countries to facilitate mental and emotional growth. We intentionally reviewed these essential elements repeatedly to improve our progress. We brushed up ahead of facilitating encounters with people so that we led sessions with solution-driven possibilities to resolve problems that may arise. Then after each session we assessed the same check-list of essentials to understand how we achieved the transformational results attained.
See these growth mindset examples illustrating how each strategy can transform fixed mindsets in real life into growth-oriented perspectives:
1.Voice facilitated: Ensure all speak up and feel heard.
Example: At a community round-table, seniors participate in a weekly discussion group where each person shares personal stories. By encouraging everyone to speak, participants feel valued, leading to increased self-esteem and openness to new experiences.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some speak up frequently while others feel sidelined.
At a monthly community meeting, one or two outspoken members dominate every discussion, steering conversations toward their personal experiences. Meanwhile, quieter participants, who have valuable insights, remain unheard, leading to frustration and disengagement.
2. Clarity facilitated: Provide cheat sheets with accurate facts and figures.
Example: During a technology support session, facilitators distribute simple guides on using smartphones. Clear instructions help seniors overcome fear of new technology, enabling them to stay connected with family and friends.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some lack required facts and figures needed to progress
During a financial planning workshop, a discussion on retirement funds stalls because the facilitator has no updated information on tax laws. Attendees leave with more questions than answers, unsure how to move forward with their financial decisions.
3. Focus: Target one problem to resolve with a growth mindset approach.
Example: A senior struggling with social isolation sets a goal to attend one social event per week. Focusing on this single objective makes the challenge manageable, leading to improved social engagement over time.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some are distracted or overwhelmed by large complex projects
A group is tasked with organizing a senior talent show, but the planning process becomes chaotic due to too many moving parts. With no clear structure, many feel lost, leading to frustration and a lack of motivation to participate.
4. Engage: Open sessions with a two-footed question that invites all to engage.
Example: Before a hike in nature, a senior session begins with the question, “What outdoor activity brings you most joy?” This prompts participants to share personal experiences, fostering a supportive environment and encouraging regular exercise outside.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some expect facilitator lectures and passive, note-taking listeners
At an intelligence seminar, attendees passively listen while the presenter reads from slides. Without interactive discussions or application of knowledge, interest fades, and many struggle to recall what was covered. Instead open with the prompt: “Which of these intelligences is most relevant to us today and how so?”
5. Affirm: Affirm some detail of all contributions.
Example: In a creative sharing groups, the facilitator acknowledges each member’s input, highlighting a unique aspect of their statements. This authentic validation boosts confidence and motivates continued creative expression.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some fear they will make foolish or unwanted contributions
During a technology workshop, a senior hesitates to ask a question about using a smartphone, fearing they’ll appear ignorant. As a result, they miss out on learning, despite others likely having the same question.
6. Collaborate facilitated:: Build together on shared experiences.
Example: Seniors collaborate to create a community garden, sharing gardening tips and stories. This collective effort fosters a sense of purpose and community, transforming solitary routines into fun, collaborative projects.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say :
Some feel they can only progress with quality if they go it alone
An experienced writer in a memoir-writing workshop refuses to collaborate on peer reviews, believing that others’ feedback will dilute their work. This limits their opportunity to refine their writing through shared insights.
7. Playfulness: Position play and humor at the core.
Example: A laughter yoga session incorporates playful exercises, leading to reduced stress and increased joy among participants. Embracing humor helps seniors view challenges with a lighter perspective.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some sense play is for small children and growth must be stern
A creativity session introduces storytelling games, but a few participants scoff, believing serious discussions are the only way to learn. Their resistance limits engagement and discourages others from fully participating.
8. Explore: Allow diverse pathways to find possibilities beyond the problem.
Example: A senior interested in learning to paint their experiences explores various mediums—watercolors, oils, acrylics—discovering a passion for acrylics. This exploration opens new avenues for creativity, visual articulation and personal growth.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some remain convinced their way is the best and only way
In a discussion on healthy eating, one participant insists their diet approach is superior and dismisses all other viewpoints, shutting down meaningful exploration of diverse nutritional strategies.
9. Interactivity: All learn and all teach interactively.
Example: In a healthy cooking session, seniors take turns sharing their favorite recipes to feed one or two people. This reciprocal learning environment empowers seniors to share knowledge and acquire new skills, fostering mutual respect and continuous learning.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say
Some place knowledge brokers on a pedestal and feel lesser than
A renowned guest speaker on brain health delivers a compelling talk, but some attendees hesitate to engage, feeling their own thoughts and experiences are insignificant compared to the expert’s authority.
10. Empower: Guide participants to speak up more than the facilitator.
Example: A growth mindset session encourages members to lead discussions on selected readings. By taking ownership of the conversation, seniors develop leadership skills and gain confidence in expressing their viewpoints.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some feel they can learn only from the facilitator, not from peers
During a book club meeting, some participants direct all their questions to the moderator, disregarding thoughtful insights from fellow members, missing out on valuable peer discussions.
11. Curiosity: Reward curiosity by valuing teams with follow-up questions.
Example: During a mental wellbeing presentation, seniors are encouraged to ask two-footed questions, leading to deeper discussions. The facilitator might ask, “What one example or experience would show facts recently learned, in action? This inquisitiveness transforms passive listening into active engagement, enhancing learning and interest.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some fail to see curiosity’s value or fail to see how it is improved
A science discussion about new medical research quickly loses momentum because attendees accept surface-level explanations instead of asking deeper questions to explore possibilities.
12. Transform: Pair-share to transform closed ideas into growth possibilities.
Example: In a peer mentoring program, seniors pair up to discuss personal challenges. Through shared dialogue, they re-frame negative thoughts, supporting each other in adopting more diverse and helpful outlooks.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some resign to negative voices rather than see growth possibilities
After a failed attempt at learning a new language, a group of seniors concludes they are too old to succeed. Instead of seeking alternative learning methods, they give up entirely.
13. Adapt: Pivot whenever a yawn appears and offer up a fun reset.
Example: Noticing waning energy during a session, the facilitator introduces a spontaneous movement break, asks a question participants would enjoy answering, or pivots to pair share as a way to apply what is learned. This energizes the group, improving focus and receptivity to the session’s content.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some feel it’s listeners’ fault they are bored by bad presentations
A speaker drones on about community policies without engagement, then complains that the audience seems uninterested, failing to recognize the need for a more dynamic approach.
14. Respect: No shaming or blaming.
Example: In a support group, members share experiences and facilitators model how to engage without fear of judgment or ridicule. This respectful atmosphere encourages openness and trust, essential for emotional healing and growth.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some fail to see we must earn respect by NO shaming or blaming
During a technology class, an instructor sighs in frustration when a participant struggles with basic navigation. The senior feels embarrassed and reluctant to continue asking for help.
15. Calm: Pre-empt the untamed amygdala with kindness and respect.
Example: A meditation or deep breathing session teaches seniors techniques to manage anxiety, in a calming setting. Practicing mindfulness fosters inner calm, enabling better emotional regulation and resilience.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some forget that a few folks arrive with an untamed amygdala
A heated discussion about local government policies spirals into personal attacks because some participants react emotionally rather than listening calmly and constructively.
16. Co-Create: Create facilitation tools with participants to encourage curiosity.
Example: In sharing experiences, seniors collaborate to develop prompts that inspire creative possibilities to address problems raised. This co-creation process stimulates curiosity and investment in the activity.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some fail to see how they grow by co-creating facilitation tools
A gardening club discusses plant care, but instead of collectively developing a shared resource guide, each person clings to their own notes, missing the chance to build a valuable community resource.
17. Possibility: Model how to look at problems with possibilities in mind.
Example: A senior facing mobility issues explores adaptive sports with a physical therapist. Viewing limitations as opportunities leads to discovering enjoyable new activities, enhancing physical and emotional well-being.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some focus on problems and fail to propose growth possibilities
At a meeting about improving transportation for seniors, the discussion gets stuck on complaints about the current system without generating any actionable solutions.
18. Participate: Invite all to learn and all to teach.
Example: In a language exchange program, seniors teach their native language while learning a new one. This reciprocal participation enriches cultural understanding and cognitive function.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some are unfamiliar with how we learn best as we all teach
In a technology skills workshop, attendees rely solely on the instructor instead of helping each other troubleshoot, missing the opportunity for peer-supported learning.
19. Re-frame: Help participants transform problems into possibilities.
Example: A senior grieving the loss of a spouse joins a volunteer group, finding purpose in helping others. Re-framing personal loss into an opportunity for service fosters healing and a renewed sense of purpose.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some have no experience transforming problems into possibilities
A senior who struggles with arthritis in their hands gives up knitting entirely, not realizing that adaptive tools exist to help them continue their hobby.
20. Model: Model what we expect participants to learn.
Example: A facilitator demonstrates active listening during group discussions, setting a standard for participants. Modeling this behavior encourages respectful communication and deeper connections as people hear and feel heard.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some tell others what behavior they expect yet fail to model it
At a discussion on respect in senior communities, one participant demands that others listen but frequently interrupts when others speak, contradicting their own expectations.
21. Practice: Use and demonstrate practices that engage growth mindset approaches.
Example: A session that includes music, building, movement, or reflection might emphasize progress over perfection, encouraging seniors to play, practice, make mistakes and embrace lessons learned as useful opportunities. This approach reduces fear of failure and promotes continuous improvement.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some practice by using only closed or fixed mindset approaches
A senior dismisses the idea of trying an online book club, insisting that traditional in-person meetings are the only valuable way to engage in literary discussions.
22. Inquiry: Create or use two-footed questions in Weber’s Facilitator’s Guides.
Example: A facilitator asks, “How might learning a new skill improve our daily life and improve what we do?” This open-ended question prompts seniors to reflect on personal growth, inspiring proactive engagement in new activities that will show evidence of meaningful learning outcomes.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some tell or deliver alone rather than ask and discover together
A workshop leader spends an hour lecturing about memory exercises but never asks participants about their own experiences or strategies, missing the chance for shared wisdom.
23. Depth: Challenge all to apply facts by going deep and living experiences.
Example: A session on multiple intelligences might be discussed as these are especially useful to expand senior horizons. The purpose may be to allow seniors to immerse themselves in learning through multiple perspectives. Experiencing multiple intelligences firsthand deepens seniors’ understanding and appreciation of how we enjoy, use and grow mental and emotional IQ.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some deliver facts to memorize with no effort to apply as solutions
A health seminar presents statistics on aging but does not provide practical steps on how seniors can improve their well-being based on the information shared.
24. Document – Record on Recipe Cards: Tips, Tools, or Tactics to Problem Solve
Example: A senior living in a retirement community struggles with feelings of loneliness after moving away from lifelong friends. To counteract this, she begins documenting small social engagement strategies on index cards, such as conversation starters, clubs to join, and strategies for overcoming shyness. Over time, she builds a personalized “recipe book” of solutions that help seniors reconnect with others and feel more socially engaged.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some fail to keep facts and figures nearby for future references
At a nutrition talk, useful dietary guidelines are presented, but no handouts or resources are provided, making it difficult for attendees to revisit the information later.
25. Safety – Threaten Nobody by Creating a Safe, Challenging Setting
Example: A senior joins a beginner’s art class but is hesitant to try painting due to fear of failure. The facilitator reassures the group that there are no mistakes in art, only creative choices. By fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged, the senior gains confidence, enjoys the creative process, and eventually paints regularly, experiencing emotional uplift and reduced stress.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some feel unsafe and unsupported in any challenging setting
A senior joins a poetry group but is discouraged when their first attempt at sharing a poem is met with critique rather than encouragement, making them hesitant to participate again.
26. Simplicity – List Five Briefly Stated Criteria Expected in Creations
Example: A senior wants to improve their balance through exercise but feels overwhelmed by complex workout routines. A fitness coach simplifies the process by listing five key elements for an effective session: (1) Stand tall, (2) Engage core, (3) Use slow, controlled movements, (4) Breathe deeply, and (5) Have fun. By focusing on these simple yet essential criteria, the senior feels less intimidated and stays consistent with their exercise, leading to improved physical and emotional well-being.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some expect certain traits yet fail to articulate expected criteria
A group organizing a volunteer project struggles with dissatisfaction because they never outlined clear expectations for how tasks should be completed.
27. Evidence – Evaluate Outcomes Guided by the Same Five Criteria
Example: A senior who started gardening to reduce stress wants to know if it’s truly helping. They assess progress using five personal well-being indicators: (1) Am I sleeping better? (2) Do I feel more relaxed? (3) Am I spending more time outdoors? (4) Have I learned new skills? (5) Do I feel a sense of accomplishment? By reflecting on these criteria, they see tangible proof of gardening’s benefits and feel encouraged to continue.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some fail to evaluate outcomes or show evidence of criteria met
A community program aimed at increasing physical activity for seniors has no follow-up assessment, leaving organizers unsure if it had any real impact.
28. Inspire – Ignite Sparks for Lasting Growth and Change
Example: A retired teacher missed the joy of mentoring and shared how he began to feel a lack of purpose. At our suggestion, he started volunteering 2 days a week at a literacy program for young children, sharing their love for storytelling. Seeing the children’s excitement about reading reignited this senior’s passion, giving him a renewed sense of meaning and joy in his own daily life.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some do not see the value of igniting sparks or fanning ongoing growth
A monthly discussion group never builds on previous topics, treating each session as isolated, failing to create a sense of progress or momentum for participants.
29. Curiosity – Spark Curiosity as a Conduit to Growth
Example: One senior tried and failed many times to learn Spanish so he could interact more with close friends, and so he joined a beginner’s language class. Instead of focusing on how difficult it was in past, he approached each session with curiosity, viewing every new word learned as a small victory. Sheer eagerness to explore a new culture and communicate with others kept this senior mentally sharp and socially engaged as he grew more fluent.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some fail to enlist curiosity into securing a conduit to growth
At a science talk about space exploration, attendees listen passively but do not engage in questions or discussion, missing opportunities to explore ideas further or apply them to improve their situation.
30. Apply – Remind how Retention is 5% in Talks or Lectures, 95% in Active Engagement
Example: Seniors attended a session on brain health and discovered that just listening isn’t enough. We actively apply what we’ve learned by practicing daily memory exercises, engaging in puzzles, and discussing strategies with friends. By turning knowledge into action, we significantly improve cognitive function and confidence in our growing mental and emotional health skills.
Problems to navigate with essential growth elements. Let’s say …
Some do not know 5% is retained in talks, 95% in active engagement
A group watches a presentation on painting techniques but never practices hands-on, leading to poor retention and frustration when they try to apply what they learned after leaving the session, without any support or guidance.
Conclusion
By integrating Weber’s SECRET SAUCE strategies into our daily lives, seniors can shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, transforming challenges into opportunities. Whether through documenting solutions, creating safe spaces, embracing simplicity, or actively applying new knowledge, these strategies provide a framework for lifelong growth, mental agility, and emotional resilience.
While seniors’ workshops, growth mindset roundtables and meetings are meant to be enriching, many fail due to these common pitfalls. Without active engagement, respect for diverse perspectives, and an openness to curiosity, these gatherings risk becoming stagnant rather than fostering growth. Identifying these challenges is the first step in designing more effective, meaningful experiences that encourage lifelong learning and ongoing personal development.
Maintaining a growth mindset is essential for seniors to support their mental and emotional well-being. As we navigate aging, new challenges, and changing circumstances, using strategies that transform problems into possibilities can make a significant difference. Weber’s SECRET SAUCE Checklist provides a structured approach to fostering a growth mindset in everyday life. These same checklists offer a way to assess elements that worked well and any essentials that still need work in future facilitation opportunities.
What trouble shooting problem below does our next group face? Which secret sauce essentials in the following checklist below will work best for a cynical or negative critical mindset we may encounter today to grow and thrive as seniors.
