What is the 'shoshin' mindset which promotes intellectual humility in the workplace?

The concept of "shoshin" implies taking a more humble intellectual stance. Image: Shutterstock

It's often said that practice makes perfect. And this proverb can be applied to the corporate world, where professional experience is often valued more highly than skills. But proponents of "shoshin" believe that employees should sometimes try to think more like rookies.

"Shoshin" is a Japanese term, derived from Zen Buddhist philosophy, which translates as the "beginner's mind." It refers to the idea of embracing the same kind of openness, eagerness and lack of preconceptions as a beginner would have when approaching something new. "I like to think of 'shoshin' as opening your eyes for the very first time. 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," life and career coach Sarah Lloyd, tells Stylist magazine.

We all have cognitive biases that limit us intellectually. Some people think they're better protected than others from these mental preconceptions, not recognizing their own limitations. Indeed, they may themselves be victims of a cognitive bias known as the Dunning-Kruger effect. This phenomenon, theorized in 1999, leads people to wrongly overestimate their knowledge or ability in a specific area. This can lead them to make poor decisions.

The concept of "shoshin" takes the opposite approach. It involves taking a more modest and humble intellectual stance. Indeed, the saying goes that to err is human. But we tend to forget this, especially in the professional sphere. In the world of work, many people seek to be right at all costs.

They don't hesitate to use weak or even fallacious arguments to have the last word with their counterpart.

Putting yourself in the position of a beginner, as advised by "shoshin" philosophy, allows you to silence the voice of your ego and accept the fact that you don't know everything. Several scientific studies have shown that this posture of modesty is highly beneficial for the person who adopts it.

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Intellectually humble individuals are, for example, more likely to make efforts to acquire new knowledge. Their persistence often enables them to achieve a high degree of expertise on a variety of subjects, making them a real asset in the workplace.

So, how do you apply the "shoshin" philosophy to your day-to-day work? First of all, by working on your critical thinking. Don't hesitate to question your assumptions and intuitions, to broaden the spectrum of possibilities. Going against the tide often gives rise to innovative ideas, even if this means taking the risk of being singled out for failure. On the other hand, it's important to listen to others to challenge our knowledge and move forward. Others have a lot to teach us: it would be a pity to deprive ourselves of their knowledge.