Openness and Learning Mindset
Having a basic mindset of curiosity and a willingness to be vulnerable and embrace change and grow.
Micro-VCoL Exercises
Below are three exercises for developing openness and learning mindset. Choose one to focus on for at least a week before trying another.
Exercise 1: The Curiosity Switch
When you encounter something that triggers resistance, defensiveness, or a dismissive reaction, pause and switch to genuine curiosity.
Practice when you hear an idea you disagree with, receive criticism, face an unexpected change, or meet someone whose perspective challenges your assumptions.
Notice when you feel resistance arising. Pause for a breath. Silently say: "I am curious about this." Then ask yourself or the other person a genuine question to understand better. Replace "Yes, but..." with "Help me understand..."
When did you notice resistance today? Were you able to shift to curiosity? What did you learn that you would have missed if you had stayed defensive? What triggers your resistance most strongly?
Exercise 2: The Mistake Welcome
Treat your own mistakes as valuable learning opportunities rather than threats to your competence or self-image.
Practice whenever you make an error, get something wrong, forget something, or produce a suboptimal result. These happen regularly in any work context.
When you notice you have made a mistake, pause before reacting. Instead of criticising yourself or hiding the error, silently say: "This is useful information." Then ask: "What can I learn from this?"
How did you respond to mistakes today? Were you able to approach them with curiosity rather than self-criticism? Did acknowledging mistakes feel risky? What did you actually learn?
Exercise 3: The Beginner's Moment
Approach familiar situations with the fresh eyes of a beginner, noticing what you might have stopped seeing.
Practice in routine situations you know well: regular meetings, familiar processes, interactions with long-time colleagues, or tasks you have done many times.
When entering a familiar situation, silently ask: "What might I notice if I were seeing this for the first time? What have I stopped questioning because it is familiar?" Look at people, processes, and patterns as if you were new.
What did you notice with beginner's eyes that you normally overlook? Were there assumptions embedded in routine that fresh eyes revealed? How might you cultivate more beginner's mind?