A few weeks ago Lifelong Learners GTX member Charlie Hagan sent me a random text, as follows:
“The people furthest from your experience often offer the most enlightening perspectives. Don’t limit your intellectual intake to familiar voices that confirm existing beliefs. Seek out the uncomfortable conversations.” –Mary Frances Luce, Interim Dean, Fuqua School of Business, Duke University.
I love that quote, and coincidentally it came while I was reading an intriguing book, “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know,” by Adam Grant. In it I found similar quotes:
“The clearest sign of intellectual chemistry isn’t agreeing with someone. It’s enjoying your disagreements with them.”
And another one that discusses business leaders but is applicable to all of us:
“We learn more from people who challenge our thought process than those who affirm our conclusions. Strong leaders engage their critics and make themselves stronger. Weak leaders silence their critics and make themselves weaker. Although we might be on board with the principle, in practice we often miss out on the value of a challenge network.”
That concept of a “challenge network” intrigues me. Many years ago I started a reading group. Thinking about whom I would invite to join, I decided to only invite people with whom I already knew I would disagree about some significant issue. I collected about 10 people and we went back and forth head-to-head for a couple of years.
The people from that group became some of my best friends from that era, even though at one point I told them, “I hate this group. I can’t say a single thing without one of you tearing it to pieces. You give me a headache.”
Challenge groups. Have you ever joined one? Would you like to start one?
In the meantime, I urge you to look through our upcoming list of classes and take at least one that doesn’t interest you, or one that is presented by someone with whom you are pretty sure you will disagree. As a lifelong learner, it could be the most beneficial class your mind will ever try wrap itself around.