Curiosity, Humility and Fixed Mindsets 4.17.21

This week we read Ryan Smerek’s chapter Thinking Dispositions that Foster Learning. He explored many concepts including Curiosity, Carol Dweck’s Fixed Mindset, and concepts around intellectual humility. (There is far more to discuss around these topics than one post allows!)

But I wonder: if Curiosity and Humility are core to paving the way for learning...

• How can we develop these two traits/behaviors like a muscle?

• Can humility be directly observed and thus coached?

• Can one learn to be more curious?

Dweck would argue that we are not fixed, but changeable, and thus possibly Curiosity is not innate, and it can be developed.

• Further, if humility requires self awareness, but one lacks self-awareness, where do you begin? Are you at in impasse before you can begin the journey of self-discovery?