Beginners' mind

I'm on my way to Zurich for a kick-off meeting for a new project. It's a new client, new product and new therapy area so I've spent the last few days immersed in the detail.

For me this periodic requirement to start from scratch and quickly learn the intricacies of a new field is one of the chief joys of consultancy work. I enjoy the sense that I've gone from zero knowledge about an area to maybe 85% comprehension in a matter of days.

I think that much of this pleasure comes from what Zen philosophy calls 'the beginners' mind': -

Having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject

I trust in my ability to quickly learn enough to ask intelligent if somewhat naive questions. In fact it's the quality of these questions that dictate my worth as a consultant.

Being paid to be a constant beginner can be liberating but of course it comes with a caveat: 85% comprehension is a very long way from mastery; tomorrow I need to know just enough to help my clients see their world through fresh eyes.