Are you smarter after this conversation?

I just had a pleasant conversation with one of my clients. We are both active in the stock market. So, after our business talk I asked his view on shares, always happy to get more insights on stocks to watch out for. My client is very helpful, knowledgeable and outspoken, although, not such a good listener. So, you can imagine that I received a lot of valuable information.

But .. I wondered. Why doesn't he ask me for my opinion of the share market? He does know that I am actively investing for many years and have a good deal of experience, not always pleasant I have to say, in this field.

Then I asked him: ‘Who is smarter after this conversation you or me?’ Of course, he got the message. If you talk, you share knowledge but you don’t really become smarter. If you listen you receive knowledge and you become smarter.

Don’t forget. If people ask you for an opinion, share your knowledge; however, ask in return for their view. You may get some new insights and become smarter.