Follow No One, Learn from Everyone

Which people / Industry people you follow?

I question I’ve been asked umpteen times. Well, I keep posting the list of prominent people I follow (on Linkedin) for community benefit from time to time for others' benefit.

However, on a serious note I inform people that while I do not particularly follow any one personality, I have learnt many things, big or small, from many people – that includes clients, colleagues, senior professionals, counterparties, even students.

Sometimes, in our quest to follow someone translates into imitating that person. I even recall an associate who started wearing particular stone rings in his finger, thinking it would work wonder as it did with a very prominent lawyer of that time (he is no more). This person is now well established, but I wonder what and how much role did the rings play!

For me, everyone and everything come in a package, a bagful of good, bad and mediocre. We shouldn’t follow anyone blindly and completely, completely ignoring the flaws or ignoring other people from whom we can learn a lot of other things.

Actually, I feel the philosophy of "Learn from Everyone, Follow No One" encourages a mindset of open-mindedness and independence. Implementing this in your personal and professional life can lead to better decision-making and personal growth. Here are some strategies to help you achieve this balance:

A. Personal Life

?Diverse Perspectives

?Engage with a wide range of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. This could be through social events, community activities, or online forums.

?Listen actively and reflect on their experiences without immediately forming judgments.

Critical Thinking

Analyse the lessons you learn from others critically. Ask yourself how their experiences and insights apply (or do not apply) to your own life.

Avoid adopting beliefs or practices simply because they are popular or widely accepted. Develop your own understanding based on various inputs.

?Self-Reflection

Regularly journal to reflect on what you’ve learned from others and how you want to apply it in your life.

Identify your values and priorities, and ensure they guide your choices rather than following the crowd.

?Experimentation

Don’t hesitate to try new things based on what you learn; however, but be willing to tailor them to fit your own style and preferences.

Embrace failure as a part of the learning process.

B. Professional Life

?Mentorship and Networking

Build a diverse professional network and seek out mentors who can offer various insights. Learn from their experiences without feeling bound to follow their paths.

Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences to gain knowledge from a variety of speakers.

Collaborative Learning

Work collaboratively with colleagues across different departments or disciplines. Share knowledge and learn from each other’s expertise.

Encourage open dialogues and brainstorming sessions where everyone’s input is valued.

?Continuous Improvement

Take responsibility for your own professional development. Seek out resources such as courses, books, or online tutorials that resonate with you.

Implement what you learn in a way that aligns with your personal and organizational goals.

?Innovation and Creativity

Challenge existing processes and suggest improvements based on insights you’ve gained from various sources.

Foster an environment where questioning the status quo is acceptable, and encourage team members to develop their ideas rather than following traditional methods blindly.

?Growth Mindset

Cultivate a mindset that values lifelong learning. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.

Be open to feedback from others, using it as a tool for improvement rather than a definitive measure of success.

?Stay Grounded in Your Values

Define your core values and allow them to guide your decisions and actions. This will help you filter the advice and insights you receive.

Maintain your authenticity while learning from others; integrate lessons in a way that feels true to yourself.

By implementing these strategies in your personal and professional lives, you may learn effectively from the experiences of others without becoming overly reliant on their viewpoints or paths. This balance can lead to more innovative, independent thinking and ultimately better results in both areas.

Happy learning!

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I Bhumesh Verma wear many hats, that of a full time lawyer and a passionate writer, teacher, trainer and mentor in after-hours.