At first glance, asking “why” seems like the simplest thing in the world. It's often one of the first words children learn; we associate it with curiosity and learning. In professional settings, we're often encouraged to “ask why” to get to the root of problems or to uncover deeper insights. But as with many seemingly simple concepts, the act of asking “why” effectively is far more complex than it appears.
Read MoreThe Subtle Art of Cultivating a Beginner's Mind (Part 1/2)
In personal development and innovation management, we often encounter the concept of “Shoshin” or Beginner’s Mind. Originating from Zen Buddhism, this concept encourages us to approach situations with openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, even when studying at an advanced level [1]. It seems straightforward: approach each problem with fresh eyes. However, as I've observed in my research, clients, and grad students, there's a significant gap between understanding this concept and successfully implementing it in real-world scenarios.
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