The wonder of becoming a beginner again

Sometimes knowing too much becomes a problem.

Not a big problem, nothing that would get you into trouble. But something that steals your sense of wonder.

It happens, for instance, when you've been through so many meetings, projects, presentations... that you think you already know everything. Or at least, you believe you do.

The other day, I was sitting next to someone like that. A manager with lots of experience, someone who’s seen more Excel sheets than sunsets.

We were at one of those cool, creative workshops, with post-its, colored pencils, and open-ended questions. After not even half an hour, he leaned towards me and whispered, almost compassionately:

"Eh... I already know where this is going."

I didn’t say anything. I just watched him.

Well, not really him. I was watching the others. Those who didn’t know where it was going. And precisely because of that... they were truly following the path.

You could see it in their eyes: they were present. Some hesitated, others dove in, but everyone was there. Open, curious, alive.

In the end, a new idea emerged. Not a revolution, sure, but something that hadn’t existed before. A small thing, but genuine.

Not for him. He walked out with the same opinion he had when he came in. Perfect, tidy, untouched. Like new.

That’s the trap of experience: it makes you think you already know. It convinces you there’s no need to listen anymore because "we've been through it already." But by knowing too much, you stop seeing.

The beginner, on the other hand, doesn’t know. And precisely because of that, they look. They haven't built the map yet, so they trust the road. They ask simple, sometimes naive, but genuine questions.

Because true intelligence isn't about accumulating knowledge, but about knowing when to set it aside and become a beginner again.

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Sometimes it just takes a naive question to light a spark that a thousand meetings never could. This is true in companies, in teams, and even inside ourselves. Rediscovering the beginner’s mindset can change how we face challenges, make decisions, and listen to others. It's a training in presence and humility, not a weakness.

If this made you reflect, you might explore how coaching can help you and even access a pro bono cycle with me. Nicola Arnese offers these sessions in his free moments to avoid conflicts with other professional commitments. Some flexibility in scheduling may be required.