I have been reflecting on the importance of having a learning attitude after reading the book “Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 7 Powerful Tools for Life and Work
Mindsets
| Judger | Learner |
| Judgemental (of self and/or others) | Accepting (of self and others) |
| Reactive and automatic | Responsive and thoughtful |
| Know-it-already | Values not knowing |
| Inflexible and rigid | Flexible and adaptive |
| Either/or thinking | Both/and thinking |
| Self righteous | Inquisitive |
| Afraid of difference | Values difference |
| Personal perspective only | Considers perspective of others |
| Defends assumptions | Questions assumptions |
| Possibilities see as limited | Possibilities seen as unlimited |
| Primary mood: protective | Primary mood: curious |
“We all have both mindsets, and we have the power to choose where we operate from in any moment.”
I think that this is a great tool for leaders. If we are able to reflect on our thinking style and deliberately choose to operate from a learner when in conversation and during meetings we will be much more effective.
“Accept judger, practice learner…..You’re never going to be pure learner. but you can learn to make choices about where you put your attention.”
The mindsets we operate from is important as our mindsets shape our relationships, communication, behaviour and therefore ultimately our results. In the high pressured lifestyle we live today it’s difficult at times to focus on acting from a learner mindset. This is especially true when things go wrong.
Spend time over the next few weeks and consciously focus on leading from a learner mindset. Reflecting on how much time you’re spending in judger and how much time you spend in learner. Notice to difference it make when you interact with people and run your meetings from the learner mindset.
Technorati Tags: Attitude, Lifehacks, Management, Mindset, Leadership, Business, Communication, Book
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you very much for this post! I will absolutely find the book. One of the things I most believe in life is that you go where your questions take you. (That’s why on my site, I ask a new question every Friday – I love questions. I think they’re so powerful… as an aside, I also believe they’re the primary way to get in touch with your intuition).
Thanks very much for this post. Best,
Senia
This is a useful post, George.
Have been working with a company on their Talent Management process and trying to get them to focus on the front end (hiring) more.
These side-by-side lists are useful when focusing on the hearts and minds of the candidates. They reflect character issues that could later help or hurt the organization.
With thanks,
Steve