“Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.” Max Ehrmann, Desiderata
If your life isn’t exactly how you want it to be, you have something to learn. That simply means that you are more ignorant than you need be. So, whenever you engage in a conversation with someone, keep it in mind that they know something you don’t, irrespective of who they are or their social status. When you are ignorant, you think you know, even if it’s a false knowledge. Always be open to be challenged as it gives you the opportunity to take stock, correct and improve your knowledge. False knowledge is more dangerous than ignorance. Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance. The Japanese proverb says, “The person who admits ignorance shows it once; the one who tries to hide it shows it often.” Ignorance is not something to be hidden and protected, it keeps on rearing its ugly head. So, no matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
The clear understanding and acceptance, without being egotistical, that someone else knows something you don’t know is a good position to take whenever you engage in a conversation with someone, no matter how uncomfortable you are with their opinions, because their opinions may be exactly what you need to get unstuck. Instead of defending your ignorance, ask insightful questions about their opinions to gain more insights so that you come out of that conversation better. Don’t let your own noisy opinions distract you from your growth. The Admission of ignorance is often the first step in our education and progress. Let the ‘Veli Ndaba NeuroEngineering Leadership Effect’ touch your soul!
Veli Ndaba – ‘The NeuroEngineer’
www.velindaba.com