A Beginner’s Mind: How It Can Positively Impact Your Business

by Jean Hollowell

As a business leader, you are faced with multiple challenges and problems on a daily basis.  Your approach to resolving these issues reflect your ingenuity and creativity of a great leader.  May we suggest you settle these problems with a “beginner’s mind.”

A beginner’s mind is a state of openness.  It is the ability to approach challenges unimpeded by any preconceptions, bias or habits which are based on previous knowledge or experience.

 “If your mind is empty … it is open to everything.

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities,

but in the expert’s mind there are few.”

~Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki: Zen Mind Beginner's Mind

A beginner’s mind has no expectations, preconceived ideas, or past experiences to limit the resolution of a problem. Beginner minds have a natural curiosity towards something new and are open and eager to learn. They are willing to hear and listen to others. They bring a fresh perspective and are in a constant state of discovery.

An “expert mind” is an approach taken when someone believes they know enough about something in order to resolve the problem. It does not ask questions and is not open to the ideas of others. It often believes there is only one solution and will block out new solutions that do not align with what was previously learned.  Past knowledge retained in an expert mind can cloud judgment and prevent one from seeing a challenge clearly.

What are the benefits to remaining open and seeking to learn and apply new knowledge to challenges or problems in the business world? 

What can be gained by creating novel approaches to those challenges or problems?

Being open allows us to question if we have any limiting beliefs that preclude our creativity.  Creativity is one the strongest traits of effective leaders.

A beginner’s mind allows us to be receptive to our own thoughts and the ideas of others.  It allows us to shed any preconditioned beliefs and cultivate endless possibilities. We become “unstuck” and are able to find innovative approaches.  Innovation is a key component to the continued success of any business.

A beginner’s mind begins with establishing a “no judgment zone.” Every idea is welcome to sit at the table while brainstorming.  A beginner’s mind questions everything – it asks “why?” and “why not?”  It is a mind that is truly curious and listens to the thoughts and ideas of others.  When all thoughts, ideas and information have been gathered, the creative and innovative leader has the ability to successfully choose the correct resolution to every situation.

About Jean Hollowell, JD

After managing and practicing in a North Carolina  law firm for 28 years that represented small to medium size businesses, Jean retired to serve  8 years as the Executive Director of an international non-profit organization and was responsible for supporting start-up businesses with that organization.  She is now eager to use her expertise to coach and train businesses and organizations to reach their maximum potential. If you would like to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Jean, click on "Contact" and let us know.