I have observed this attitude among even the brightest students - ' I Know It', which maybe a necessity in the harsh corporate world, but I have felt that curtain of I Know all would prevent many of us from learning many things. I will just narrate one story to emphasise the importance of openness to listen.
Many years back I was sitting with my sales guy in a wholesalers shop in the city. We were having a general discussion with the old wholesaler who had been in the business for the last forty years about the general market conditions, when a travelling salesman entered the shop with some Chinese cigarette lighters to sell. He started with his usual sales pitch and the old man patiently listened him out, then asked him a series of questions about the price , quality and all other details about the product................
After the lighter sales man had left my sales person asked the old man why did you ask all the details when every detail about the lighter market was know to him. The old man said yes I do know everything but even then there might be some thing new which I might listen through this man. He said one has to keep his eyes and ears open always.
Even though I appreciated the old man's perspective at that I find it even more relevant as a teacher to help students inculcate that willingness to listen and be open to ideas from all possible avenues, whether a customer, a sales person or even the receptionist in the office. It would make them more receptive to new ideas and opportunities.....
