Embracing Shoshin: Unlocking Leadership Potential Through the Beginner's Mind
In our last blogpost, “Learner Mindset, Curiosity, and the Art of Inquiry,” we mentioned developing a Beginner’s Mind as one of many ways to cultivate a “Learner Mindset.” As it is such a powerful concept, we felt it warranted it’s own article.
Beginner’s Mind is rooted in Zen Buddhism, where it is called Shoshin. It advocates for a mindset of openness, curiosity, and a willingness to explore without preconceived notions, regardless of one's level of experience or expertise.
It wasn’t until I became a coach that I began to truly observe the power of Shoshin in action. I would listen to so many leaders with attachments to certain ways of thinking, doing and being. Consciously or subconsciously, they were showing up as rigid “knowers” and were stifling innovation and creativity. To create awareness and explore new possibilities, I would ask:
What if you didn’t know anything about this?
What if you hadn’t done this before?
What are other assumptions or perspectives you might consider?
How might a newcomer view this situation?
What would you do if you were not afraid to fail?
By adopting a Beginner's Mind, we open ourselves to discovering fresh opportunities and alternatives that might otherwise get overlooked due to entrenched perspectives and habitual thinking.
THE WORK
Harnessing Shoshin as a Leader
Like most personal and professional development work, harnessing a Beginner’s Mind starts with us slowing down and becoming more mindful. Mindfulness brings awareness to your thought patterns and habits and also helps clear preconceptions, allowing you to see things as they truly are, rather than as you expect them to be. Below are additional ways to harness Shoshin:
Embrace Curiosity and Wonder
Once you have slowed down, get curious. Try asking yourself any of the above questions to prompt alternative solutions and perspectives. Prioritize inquiry as a way to go deeper and learn more. It’s also essential to seek awe & wonder as these experiences can inspire us, diminish our ego, and impact our openness and receptivity new ideas.
Reflect
Spend time regularly reflecting on your experiences. Reflecting helps you become conscious of your learning process and breaks patterns of automatic thinking. Read our post on the importance of Reflection here.
Challenge Your Beliefs
As leaders, we often fall prey to confirmation bias, seeking information that supports our existing beliefs. It’s essential to actively challenge our views, entertain contrary evidence, and remain open to new perspectives.
Adopt a Learner Mindset
As mentioned earlier, the concept of a learner mindset (a sister concept to growth mindset popularized by Carl Dweck) aligns closely with Shoshin. Those with a learner mindset view learning as a journey. They are humble and concerned with getting it right over being right. They see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than a judgment on one's inherent capabilities. As such, they are flexible and resilient and so our their teams and cultures.
Seek New Experiences
Step outside your comfort zone by trying new activities, reading different genres of books, or initiating conversations with people from diverse backgrounds. Each new experience can shift your perspective and inspire fresh ideas.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Embracing Shoshin - for both personal growth and organizational development - fosters adaptability, innovation, and resilience. Like conscious leadership, Beginner’s Mind is rooted in awareness and openness. Together, they form a powerful framework for navigating uncertainty, fostering inclusivity and creativity, and nurturing continuous improvement. By embodying these principles, leaders can inspire their teams to embrace change, challenge assumptions, and unlock new possibilities for growth and success.
“We strive always to have a beginner’s mind. – Marc Benioff