‘Lernfähig’ is a German word and it means ‘having the ability to learn something’.
Let me give you an example what happened to me. I recently read an interesting book that has the main argument that ‘Continuous practice, with increasing difficulty and regular feedback’ is the key to success. That’s it! And that is more important than ‘talent’.
Yesterday I wanted to share the content of the book with a good friend. However, as soon as he heard the key thought of the book he immediately shot me down. He had a different view on this subject, argued his point and telling why his point is correct and the argument that I quoted from the book I read is wrong. Now the book that I mentioned is well researched with solid evidence. So, what would be wrong in listening to these arguments, taking it in and weighing against what he knows and share that with me. Once all the knowledge is on the table, one can calmly evaluate and obtain a higher level of knowledge on this subject. In this case it didn’t happen. He thought his view is the 100% correct one and was not willing to listen to a new argument anymore. In other words, he didn’t learn anything; he is no more ‘learnfähig’. Not to mention that these 'I am right, you are wrong' arguments often spoil the mood.
Interesting, isn’t it?
What causes such reactions? Is it that some people are
- so sure about themselves and think they know it all?
- just not patient enough to listen, but rather want to tell their own story and ‘show off’ their knowledge?
- too proud to give credit to another person, possibly in front of others, for receiving new insights?
This is all too complicated to me. I prefer to listen very attentively. Ask questions why people hold a certain view. And quite often I am a little bit smarter afterwards.
And, by the way, people who listen well to others are generally more appreciated and respected. Do you want to test it? Just imagine somebody responding to you by saying: “Your comment is very interesting, can you tell me a bit more about this.” Most of us feel good when somebody talks to us in that manner. And then we tend to like the other person a bit more. Do you?
Let me give you an example what happened to me. I recently read an interesting book that has the main argument that ‘Continuous practice, with increasing difficulty and regular feedback’ is the key to success. That’s it! And that is more important than ‘talent’.
Yesterday I wanted to share the content of the book with a good friend. However, as soon as he heard the key thought of the book he immediately shot me down. He had a different view on this subject, argued his point and telling why his point is correct and the argument that I quoted from the book I read is wrong. Now the book that I mentioned is well researched with solid evidence. So, what would be wrong in listening to these arguments, taking it in and weighing against what he knows and share that with me. Once all the knowledge is on the table, one can calmly evaluate and obtain a higher level of knowledge on this subject. In this case it didn’t happen. He thought his view is the 100% correct one and was not willing to listen to a new argument anymore. In other words, he didn’t learn anything; he is no more ‘learnfähig’. Not to mention that these 'I am right, you are wrong' arguments often spoil the mood.
Interesting, isn’t it?
What causes such reactions? Is it that some people are
- so sure about themselves and think they know it all?
- just not patient enough to listen, but rather want to tell their own story and ‘show off’ their knowledge?
- too proud to give credit to another person, possibly in front of others, for receiving new insights?
This is all too complicated to me. I prefer to listen very attentively. Ask questions why people hold a certain view. And quite often I am a little bit smarter afterwards.
And, by the way, people who listen well to others are generally more appreciated and respected. Do you want to test it? Just imagine somebody responding to you by saying: “Your comment is very interesting, can you tell me a bit more about this.” Most of us feel good when somebody talks to us in that manner. And then we tend to like the other person a bit more. Do you?
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