Goal orientation

Goal orientation defines with what aim a person turns to a task. Generally two orientations are distinguished: a mastery orientation and a performance orientation. A mastery-oriented person focuses on learning and growing and counts a mistake as part of the process; a performance-oriented person, by contrast, focuses on appearing competent to others and tries to avoid mistakes. Carol Dweck's mindset research is closely linked to this distinction. In coaching, strengthening the mastery orientation helps the client act out of a wish to learn rather than a fear of failure.