Some of you may be familiar with the term “beginner’s mind,” but I wasn’t. A colleague mentioned it to me, saying she'd just learned about it too.

The term is rooted in Zen Buddhism, and the concept is to bring an attitude of openness into discussions and leave preconceived notions behind. The goal is to approach things while limiting your biases. To put it another way, it is about trying to see something as if you are encountering it for the very first time

You often see this beginner’s mind when you hire someone new to your organization. Their not knowing the history of your policies and procedures lets them offer a fresh perspective that people who have been with the organization for some time may not have.

We all often adopt the philosophy of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, just because something isn't broken doesn't mean it can't be improved. Someone with a beginner’s mind can sometimes see that better way, which can improve your operational efficiency.

I don’t think a beginner’s mind is limited to people new to the organization. I think those of us who have been in the industry for a while can cultivate a beginner’s mind by consciously clearing our heads of the “that’s the way we’ve always done it” attitude and staying open to looking at a problem with fresh eyes.

Another real benefit of a beginner’s mind is that it brings eagerness and enthusiasm to a situation, which can inspire others.

Next time you are in a meeting trying to resolve an issue, try to bring a beginner’s mind with you. That means stop thinking that you already know everything about the problem—and therefore the solution. When you act like an expert, you tend to close off your mind to seeing new details and new ways of doing things. Accept that others have good ideas; in fact, some may even have ideas better than yours.

Try to let go of judgments about how things should be done and instead be open to others' ideas; ask why and how, and really listen to what they have to say.

I am not saying that a beginner’s mind will solve all your problems, but in these very trying times, a new approach to problem-solving might be just what your organization needs. Next time you are problem-solving, take a deep breath and focus on bringing a beginner’s mind to the discussion. It can’t hurt, and I bet it might help.