You know the feeling: you’re head down mulling over an impossible work problem like a diary clash that would require 33 days in the month to solve or a project blocked due to an overspent budget. Suddenly, a friend or colleague who has no idea about the problem makes a spontaneous suggestion that sparks a solution that now appears obvious. It must just be a fluke, right?

In workplaces where seniority and expertise are valued, it’s easy to equate experience with effectiveness. But when it comes to problem-solving, the tried and tested approach may not always be the best method. 

Shoshin is a term from Zen Buddhism that translates to ‘a beginner’s mind’. The Japanese concept refers to the idea of approaching a subject with complete openness and letting go of expert opinions or preconceived ideas.

A contrast to following a routine way of studying and learning, shoshin is about eager exploration and curiosity. Shoshin highlights a paradox: the more you know something, the less likely you are to explore new ways to do it. And this can stunt your learning.

“I like to think of shoshin as opening your eyes for the very first time,” Sarah Lloyd, a life and career coach, tells Stylist. “It is a state of being completely present in the moment, taking in what is here right now, free from past experiences, contexts, assumptions or bias. There’s beauty, freedom and a transformative power in what can unfold – unlocking creativity, new possibilities and overcoming challenges,” she said.

Intellectual humility is about recognising your own knowledge gaps, limitations or flawed beliefs, all of which can impede your ability to learn. Individuals with high intellectual humility are more likely to admit if they don’t know something, accept that their existing belief might be wrong or reconsider an opinion when presented with new evidence.

Research shows that intellectual humility is linked with greater empathy, more motivation to think, self-enhancement and positive social behaviours. Leaders high in intellectual humility facilitate fuller discussions, welcoming differing perspectives and encouraging new ideas.

And it’s never been more important to have intellectual humility at work. “Although it can feel challenging, especially in a leadership or specialist role where you’re looked to as the expert, there is a brilliance in letting go of what has been and opening up to what could be,” Lloyd says. “It may surprise you what you notice; the small details or joys that you would ordinarily overlook.”

Adopting shoshin and thinking like a beginner frees you to explore new possibilities – to approach a new subject, person or challenge with wonder – and encourages you to get creative or even a bit weird.

Here’s how to apply the concept of shoshin at work to solve three different types of problem. Lloyd shared her advice for each.

The interpersonal conflict

I can’t get any creative work done due to my micromanaging boss. My colleague is constantly undermining me in meetings with senior leaders. My direct report isn’t performing well and I’m worried about how that reflects on me.

The shoshin solution: Start by asking yourself some questions. What would you like to say to your colleague? How could you communicate your viewpoint differently? What information are you still missing? Then, use an exercise like the experience cube to note down your observations: what do you think about it, how do you feel about it and what would you want to do differently in the situation? This can help you to get clarity about the conflict, identify and challenge your own judgments, and leave space for the experiences of others.

The critical thinking challenge

I’ve been tasked with a high KPI target but given a limited budget and a tight timeline. My tech stack tools aren’t working as expected and it’s affecting our customers. My business growth is stagnating because of the macroeconomic climate.

The shoshin solution: Think of the bigger picture and zoom out from the details. What’s the overall vision or goal? Identify the priority and the key stakeholders. Then, host a brainstorm to invite your best minds to work together. Bring together peers or colleagues from different teams and set a timer for 20 minutes to ideate as many solutions as possible. No idea is too ambitious or off-limits. Then, weave together the common threads to find a trail worth following and test out something new.

The way of working issue

Clashing diaries means I can’t get time in with my boss. My colleague is unresponsive to emails and messages, regardless of working from home or the office. I’m new to my company and I want to add value to my team.

The shoshin solution: Write down what you’re observing with specific examples, then do a SWOT analysis to identify any gaps and help weigh up different ways to approach the issue. Tap on trusted colleagues to get new information and ask questions to challenge your thinking and potentially create efficiencies, avoid duplication and inspire a new way of doing something.

When you choose a shoshin mindset at work, you might find delight in what you learn. Being an expert isn’t all it’s cracked up to be anyway.

Images: Adobe