How often have you found yourself in meetings not understanding a thing? And how often have you refrained from asking for clarification just because you felt everybody else knew everything and you might look stupid? Most of us are so concerned with others’ opinions and how this might affect our reputation that we try to avoid presenting ourselves in an unfavorable light at all costs, even if this means missing an opportunity to learn.
Here’s the thing: very often, there are others in the room who understand just as little as you do, but for the same reasons, they also refrain from asking questions. When one brave member finally asks for clarification, you usually see a sigh of relief go through the room because everybody had questions but nobody wanted to admit it. I call this collective stupidity.
Think of Richard Feynman, one of the most brilliant physicists of the 20th century, and winner of the 1965 Nobel Price in Physics, who was famous for asking questions others were too afraid to ask – even in rooms full of experts. He believed that if he couldn’t explain a concept in simple terms, he didn’t truly understand it.
Or take the example of Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, who fostered a culture where admitting uncertainty was not only accepted but encouraged: during the making of Toy Story, he often paused meetings to ask basic questions about storytelling or animation – despite being the president. This openness helped create one of the most innovative creative environments in the world, where learning trumped ego.
So, do yourself and everybody else a favor: ask until you understand everything, even at the risk that sometimes you might indeed be the only person not understanding. In my case, this never happened, but even if it did, I’d still prefer to look stupid for a moment rather than remain stupid forever. Embrace the courage to seek understanding, and you’ll find that your willingness to ask questions will be appreciated and lead to overall learning and progress.
Remember, the only way to truly grow is to seek knowledge, and that often means admitting what you don’t know. So, don’t be afraid to look stupid – be afraid of staying ignorant!
