4-Minute Learning from Others Practice

Time needed: 4 minutes (80 seconds each)

Setting: Before/during interaction with someone new or unfamiliar

Purpose: Opening to new perspectives and knowledge through genuine curiosity

Learner’s Posture (80 seconds)

What: Before engaging with someone, take three breaths while silently saying “I don’t know what they know.” Release any expertise or assumptions. Let your body soften - uncross arms, open stance, curious expression. Set intention to discover rather than demonstrate

Notice: Where you hold knowing tightly, any defensiveness softening, shift from proving to exploring

Why: Creates receptive state, reduces ego barriers, enables genuine learning

Curious Questions (80 seconds)

What: During conversation, ask open questions that reveal their unique knowledge:

- “How did you come to know that?”

- “What’s something about [their area] most people don’t understand?”

- “What surprised you when you learned this?”

  Listen to their answer fully before your next question

  Notice: When you want to share your knowledge instead, what their expertise reveals, how curiosity deepens connection

  Why: Honors their knowledge, builds relationship, accesses new perspectives

Discovery Integration (80 seconds)

What: After interaction, capture your learning:

- One thing they know that you didn’t

- One way they see differently than you

- One question they sparked for you

- How their perspective expands yours

  Notice: What genuinely surprised you, where your thinking shifted, how new knowledge feels

  Why: Consolidates learning, acknowledges growth, builds appreciation for diverse knowing

Closing: Silent gratitude for what they taught you

Notice: How learning from others enriches you

Why: Cultivates learning mindset and reciprocal respect

Tips:

- Everyone knows something you don’t

- Let go of “teaching back”

- Value different kinds of knowledge

- Ask permission before deeper questions

- Learning builds connection