Numerous achievements and successful experiences could be poisonous. It becomes harmful when all the goals achieved and accolades accumulated drives one towards a tendency of “hubris thinking” - When the thin line between confidence and arrogance is crossed … when one mistakenly assumes knowing everything.

The expression - “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing” is attributed to the Greek Philosopher Socrates. The phrase beautifully highlights the “mindset of a student”. Emphasizing the need for humility and the acknowledgement of one’s limited understanding as a foundation of true wisdom. 

The underlying gift in this phrase is two-fold, the first is that it gives one the gift of curiosity - it celebrates the joys of discovery acknowledging that that the horizon of one’s knowledge always pushes farther than one can reach.  There is an acknowledgement that one’s exposure is only a fraction of what is truly out there. This same thought also encourages us to find partners that would help fill in the gaps we have and point our blindsides or challenge our thinking or validate/strengthen our views.

The second gift is freedom from one’s ego. The philosophical thought does not constrain you with the chains and burden of proving one-self to anyone or to any committee. Rather it crystallizes that the exploration of knowledge and pursuit of new skills is more a personal quest to be better.

To explore new horizons though also means being able to “let go”. Another famous philosopher; Epictetus; was quoted saying “it is impossible to learn that which one thinks one already knows.” The insight; highlighting that at times we ourselves are the “enemy” to finding new solutions or alternative options or innovation. Avoiding an “immediate assumption that there is only one absolute answer” to a puzzle; especially if it is your answer; is the best way to give space for alternative thoughts to come in and be pondered – be analysed – be compared under their merits.     

Reflecting regularly on these philosophical phrases grounds any leader to truly open up their mind, question prevailing status quos and seek multiple views - feedback from peers as well as team members. It also encourages perpetual curiosity – to know what happened in the past, what is happening now and the multiple potentials of the future. 

Approaching life as a student allows us to embrace all the opportunities available for us to learn and improve. In my view, Bruce Lee says it perfectly - "Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend." I wish you all the best in the classroom of life; my fellow classmates.