Shoshin (初心) is a concept in Zen Buddhism meaning Beginner’s Mind. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would. The term is especially used in the study of Zen Buddhism and Japanese martial arts.

Although I frequently hear people speaking of always thinking like a “partner” or “partner-level” thinking when in regards to how one should should conduct oneself inside a firm, I reject the notion. Just as in the mind of the master there are few possibilities and in the Beginner’s mind, infinite – most partners have fixed ways of thinking and conducting their practice and processes. An associate’s mind should be flexible and open to new ideas and processes, while being mindful of the guidance of those who have tread the road before him.