New questions, new life

The difference between a judger & learner mindset

 

In the book Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, Marilee Adams explores Question Thinking in depth. She encourages people to ask new questions and, in doing so, transform their perspective and results. In this article, we explore the difference between the judger and learner mindset, the choice map, and how we can lead a more proactive life through curiosity.

• The same questions = the same results
• What is ‘Question Thinking’?
• The difference between a judger & learner mindset
• The power of asking new questions!
• The choice map – From judger to learner mindset in 4 exercises!

The same questions = the same results

What has brought you this far will not take you further. That is why it is important to dare to ask questions to which you do not yet know the answer. According to Marilee Adams’ theory, our thinking process is an internal dialogue between the questions we ask ourselves and the answers or actions that follow.

Your choice of clothing, for example, is based on the questions you ask:

• How warm is it outside? Will it rain?
• What is in fashion? What do I feel like wearing?
• What is available?
• Where am I going? What does the occasion require?
• …

In short, the questions you ask shape your perspective—not only toward the outside world, but also toward yourself.

What is ‘Question Thinking’?

The Question Thinking model assumes that people are constantly making choices. These choices often remain unconscious, causing us to keep doing the same things out of routine or habit. The questions we ask unconsciously program our actions and determine what we do or do not see as possible.

We often react from a judger mindset. This is an automatic response we fall back on to protect ourselves. This way of thinking is closed and critical. You don’t think in terms of opportunities, but in terms of mistakes and “what could go wrong.”

When we become aware of these choices, we move into a learner mindset. Here, decisions are made with the intention to learn and discover. The real choice only begins when we are conscious enough to observe our own thoughts and emotions—and then express them more constructively.

Het verschil tussen een judger & learner mindset

Judger mindset

Te vaak laten we ons leven leiden door automatische beslissingen. We zijn reactief, en denken het antwoord op alles reeds te weten. We noemen dit ook de judger mindset. Je klampt vast aan jouw eigen perspectief en verdedigt vooronderstellingen vanuit zelfbescherming.

De vragen die je stelt dienen om jezelf te beschermen of iemand anders ‘aan te vallen’. In plaats van op zoek te gaan naar oplossingen zoek je een verantwoordelijke:

• Wat is er mis?
• Wiens schuld is dat?
• Wat heb ik misdaan? Wat is er mis met mij?
• Hoe kan het mislopen?
• Wat kan ik verliezen?

Volgens de judger mindset is er altijd één winnaar en één verliezer. Zo bekijk je feedback niet als groeiopportuniteit maar als afwijzing. De drang om gelijk te hebben of ‘het beter te weten’ zorgt voor een rivale sfeer die ongezond en onproductief werkt.

Learner mindset

Een learner mindset daartegenover is gericht op doordachte keuzes en win-win relaties. Je denkt in oplossingen en opportuniteiten in plaats van problemen. Je stelt vragen zoals:

• Wat is er gebeurd? Wat zijn de feiten?
• Welke vooronderstellingen maak ik?
• Wat is mijn aandeel hierin? Waar ben ik verantwoordelijk voor?
• Welke opties heb ik? Wat is de beste volgende stap?

Deze vragen leiden tot een groter verantwoordelijkheidsgevoel. Je kijkt niet naar situaties vanuit ‘zelfbehoud en bescherming’ maar vanuit nieuwsgierigheid. Je waardeert verschillende en onbekende perspectieven en ziet die als een opportuniteit om te leren en groeien.

The power of asking new questions

Questions are incredibly powerful. With Question Thinking, you learn to transform your thoughts, actions, and results by asking new questions.

In the past, nomadic populations, for example, traveled in search of water. They started from the question: “How do we get to water?” History changed dramatically once the question “How does the water come to us?” was asked. That question led to the creation of wells, agriculture, irrigation, land cultivation—and ultimately contributed to the rise of cities and an entirely new way of life.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
— Albert Einstein

All too often, the urge for control and self-protection limits our potential as well as our ability to collaborate with others. It can also contribute to a negative self-image. When we let go of control and accept that there is still so much we do not know, we create space to explore. We begin to see situations as opportunities for growth.

Dare to grow. Discover the power of questioning in our professional coach training!

The ‘Choice Map’ – From judger to learner mindset in 4 exercises!

When you remain stuck in a judger mindset for too long, you can end up in a negative spiral that ultimately drains your motivation and self-confidence. How can you prevent this, and which questions can help you climb out of that pit?

Discover 4 coaching tools you can apply here:

1. Choice map

The choice map is a visual tool developed by Marilee Adams to increase self-awareness by analyzing the questions you ask yourself. According to the choice map, our lives are the result of the choices we make from moment to moment.

These choices are influenced by how we think at that moment, how we feel, and the environment we are in. When we ask too many judger questions, we eventually end up in a negative spiral. We need to reframe these questions into learner questions. This is how you get the best out of every situation.

2. Self-observer

Learn to step into the role of the self-observer. In this role, you observe not only your behavior and its outcomes, but also the underlying thoughts and emotions behind it.

3. Switching questions

When you become aware that you are in a judger mindset, you can shift into a learner mindset by asking different questions. In a way, you step onto a new track. For example:

• How can I look at this differently?
• What can I learn from this?
• How can I do this better?

4. Breaking through assumptions with the ABCC model

You can challenge your assumptions by following this process:

• Aware – Are you aware that you are in a judger mindset?
• Breathe – Breathe, take a step back, and look at the situation objectively.
• Curiosity – What is happening? Do you have all the facts? What is missing?
• Choose – What is your choice? What do you believe in?

5. 12 questions for sustainable change

The idea behind Question Thinking is that the questions you ask help shape your worldview. By asking or answering different questions, you can discover new perspectives.

With these learner questions, you approach situations as opportunities for personal growth:

1. What do I want?
2. What choices do I have?
3. What assumptions am I making?
4. What am I personally responsible for?
5. How can I think about this differently?
6. What do other people think, feel, do, or want?
7. Is there something I am missing or unconsciously avoiding?
8. What can I learn from this? (from this person, situation, mistake, success)
9. Which questions should I ask myself or others?
10. What are the most logical next steps?
11. How can I turn this into a win-win situation?
12. What is possible?