In thinking through the Knower vs. Learner mindset this week, I caught myself being far more of a Knower than I previously realized.

I often use critique and critical observations as a way to focus and motivate myself.  And truth be told, it doesn't stop with my self-evaluation -- it often extends to my evaluations of and interactions with others as well.  While this can be productive at times and with some people, it obviously can also be counterproductive.

This week as I was working through some of the things that this (Stagen) journey is highlighting about me I started in on my usual self-critique, and quickly arrived at a conclusion:  I am not a very good coach -- at least not nearly as effective a coach as I want to be and my team needs to be.  I do not listen all that well, I am not nearly patient enough (particularly with certain people and about certain things), and I am not consistently an effective enough teacher.  And then I realized, in my patented self-critique I was being a "Knower."  I was seeing all of these things that I am NOT, instead of seeing these same things as "NOT YET" opportunities to learn, grow and develop.  And if I do this to myself, then I likely do it to others as well -- inadvertently pushing them toward a Knower mindset in the process.

In understanding this I see more clearly that focusing on deficiencies, areas for improvement, and the need to develop and grow can all be very positive.  It is a subtle shift, but I would do well to focus on these as "Not Yet" opportunities -- for myself and those that I lead and influence.