Don't miss the difference between being inquisitive and being taught
Paula Allen
Telstra Business Awards judge, Strategy, tech, transformation and innovation C-level executive
Recently the passing of Charlie Munger has seen many?comment?on his thirst for learning, his inquisitive nature. That at the age of 99 just one week before his passing,?he was still involved in?meetings?to?discuss the markets and investments. ?
Warren Buffett?has long acknowledged that he needed his ‘talking foil’ to develop?Berkshire Hathaway?into?the?powerhouse?it is today.
But there’s a nuance I?haven’t seen?explored?in any of these comments.
And to help me illustrate what it is, I’m going to remind you of a story of another, even more famous, wise old soul – Marcus Aurelius. There’s the story of Marcus,?by then both a powerful emperor and an old man, leaving the palace and he is asked where is he going? “I’m off to see Sextus the philosopher, to learn that which I do not yet know.” People remarked, then and now, that this wise old man was still a student!
Both of these?mens’?lives have in them?this?key lesson. They weren’t just?learning,?they weren’t just inquisitive. They were open to being taught. They were?open?to being?wrong, to learn how their thinking, their?habits?or other actions (or non-action) should be examined and changed?for the better.
So yes, let’s learn but perhaps more importantly,?also make sure that we’re open to being taught.
Executive Search and Leadership Advisory - Managing Partner
11 个月Paula Allen love the ref to Marcus Aurelius quote. I used him in an article last year. ‘The dangers of always being on’. https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/michaelswinsburg_myths-of-crisis-leadership-the-dangers-of-activity-6969941675590766592-Fq01?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios The stoics are always good for leadership. The humility required in constant learning is a key to great leadership. Thanks again. Michael
Holding your hand as you transition to your next chapter: New Online Business or New Career | Transition & Mindset Coach | Business Mentor | Speaker & Facilitator | Author | Podcast Host
12 个月Absolutely love this Paula Allen and I have been reading about Marcus Aurelius and saw this exact line in your article. As a coach I value learning and being curious and inquisitive to learn myself but I equally value being taught by others and being open to being wrong or to explore things in different ways.