Why is a deficit mindset so common in conservationists and how can we learn to find abundance?

From the species to the resources that we share our world with, conservationists have a fundamental understanding that these earthly attributes are finite- which is a large proponent of why we are in this industry in the first place. Sustainability and conservation, by definition, mean to protect and prolong what we have. On top of this, we have experienced that in NGOs and working on academic conservation projects, there is more often than not, finite resources, funding, and time for ourselves and our teams. As a result of existing in an industry where so much is based on protecting and scrounging what we can, rather than expecting a wealth of abundance to work with, it’s no wonder that many of us grapple with a deficit mindset.

What is a deficit mindset?

There are two ways to look at the term “deficit thinking” or “deficit mindset.” One definition refers to the way that the world looks at you from the outside and casts aspersions on your skills, knowledge and abilities based on what you look like, your perceived social status, or your upbringing. This impacts minority groups in educational institutions, career building, and probably- if we are being honest with each other, many facets of life. Minority groups are mainly impacted by deficit thinking in this way, as others may perceive individuals of minority groups to be deficient in skills, knowledge and experience which would, of course, hugely limit growth and success opportunities. This is way worse than impostor syndrome as other people are doing the doubting of you, for you- which is totally uncalled for.

This has happened to me a lot over the past couple of years, especially last year, when I was told by almost everyone that I met with that I was “so young”, and on one occasion that I look too young to be able to host workshops with managers. On another occasion, I was told that I was in a particularly prime time of my life for reproduction, and employers may not hire me for fear that I would run off and have a baby. As a cis white woman, this is only a fraction of the deficit thinking that others would experience, and even still, it has driven me to near insanity. At my last job interview, I ended by saying that many people have perceived me to be younger and more inexperienced than I am, and I promise that I CAN do this work. I probably looked a bit psychotic, but what is psychotic is how undervalued young people are. I will spare you a rant about this!

What I am referring to in this blog, however, is the psychological use of the term deficit mindset which refers to the way that we perceive ourselves in a way that is negative or lacking. The term encompasses negative self-talk and the notion that we have not met some invisible, but very important benchmark of excellence, rather than focusing on what is possible and our actual skills and abilities. I am also referring to the unique deficit environment of the conservation industry which, from experience, a lot of us find is lacking in may ways. So with this definition sorted out, let’s get back into my thoughts.

How a deficit mindset impacts us

Wages

If we are expecting there to be limited resources in our industry or organisation, often we don’t ask for what we actually need or deserve when it comes to wages. There are many times when ecologists, for example, will transition from being students or volunteers to obtaining a consultant position. When asked about wage expectations, these individuals will price themselves way below others as they don’t know what is normal to expect for this type of work. In some instances, they would have had such limited funding in the past, that even these comparatively low wages could seem generous in the onset and it could be months or years before they find out how little they are earning compared to others in similar positions. 

If jobs themselves are perceived to be scarce, you may settle for minimum wage just to secure the job. There was one instance where I was offered a new position with minimum wage and I found the bravery to contest the wage as I believed I had more skills than that pay bracket offered. To my surprise, the company actually increased my wage because I advocated for the worth of my skills- so if I had just graciously accepted the offer, I would have been working the same job for less money.

I have always struggled to price myself and to give my work value as a conservationist because of the amount I was exploited and expected to work for free in the early years of my career. Though it is hard to unlearn that your work has no monetary value, it is important to talk to others, research industry standards in your area, and believe in the value of your work, to ensure that you are earning what is possible for yourself. 

Understanding the players in the game

Understandably, there are a vast array of organisations in this field from multinational cashed-up organisations to grassroots projects that get by on the smell of an oily rag. For this reason, if I am presenting to an organisation as an educator, for instance, I will ask the organising contact if they have a professional development or speakers’ budget so I am not over or under-pricing myself for the job.  In 2023, all of my speaking opportunities were gained from others who had previously seen me speak, so sometimes seeking abundance is not just financial, but understanding that one person at a low-paying or no-paying opportunity may be able to get you a higher-paying opportunity later on. 

As I have fought my way through the industry, I have seen that if you look through a different lens, there are players who do have income streams and resources where you may be able to apply your skills. Agriculture and land management are spaces where conservation is becoming increasingly important with regenerative practices, biodiversity credits, and covenants. The tech industry is getting involved with innovating solutions to clean our oceans, creating circular economy opportunities, and helping others to make their consumption more sustainable. It’s often beneficial to look at your end goal and determine who are some of the key players involved in the space you care about- can you be on the team that is more resourced to make larger scale change?

What opportunities are out there?

I often feel as if I am trapped in the constraints of my own mind. I know what I know through lived experience and learning, but there are others out there who know about other projects, industries that need conservation aid, and sources of funding beyond what I am aware of. The way to uncover this information is through having conversations with everyone and anyone you can. The more you know about different facets of the world, the more you can piece together new opportunities.

Sometimes, if an organisation believes in your work, they will take on your project in an auspice capacity so that you can apply for grants through their NGO or business status, saving you from having to be established to that level yourself. It may also be worth considering if your idea could be a profitable business venture instead of relying on grants and fundraising. Business incubators for sustainable and environmentally conscious businesses do exist and they can provide you the seed funding and coaching to grow your idea into your job. 

Scouring LinkedIn is an underrated resource if you have followed individuals and organisations who align with your values and interests. A good friend once told me to find individuals on LinkedIn who work the jobs or for the organisations that align with my values and passions and take them out for a coffee or set up a chat to discuss how they got into the position. She told me that just by asking people for a chat and showing interest in their work, she was offered three jobs. She also said that CEOs are just people and are often up for a chat, despite their high regard. I tried her method myself and was also offered a job, so I can confirm that it works!

Go away pesky impostor syndrome!

More often than not it’s our own perceptions of ourselves that lead to our deficit mindset. How many times have you used these phrases?