How Becoming an Idiot Could Help You to Grow
I learned Simon Sinek’s way to being more innovative as a dumb
Do you ever feel become the dumbest person on a team?
I felt it so often. I didn’t know what the team or the class discussed.
However, I denied it almost all the time. In my case, I was holding my pride too high that I did not want to be looked like someone with less knowledge.
When I was assigned as Management Trainee of a Big Company years ago, I have high expectations of conducting many idealist concepts into my workplace. Since I have zero experience, I could not see the real problem well, but I rarely ask for help because of my pride.
My ignorance and comfort zone stuck my career for almost three years until something woke me up.
Inexperienced Fresh Grad with High Pride
I was very proud of my graduation. My expectation was skyrocketed every day since I heard that most of my colleagues were either working in the best workplaces or achieving scholarships to study in top universities worldwide.
Here are the biggest reasons why I expect no less than my friends.
- Graduate from a reputable university.
- Very active on organizations. During my four years of university life, I became a core member of executive student councils and other external organizations.
- I was assigned as laboratory assistant’s coordinator. Over there, I was leading more than 25 team members.
- Holding a lot of Skill Certificates and championship Certificates
Instead of made me high spirited, it was misleading my works in the first job. As a Management Trainee, I have a lot of freedom to explore. I could expand my skills and experience, and my career path was so bright.
However, I didn’t utilize it in the best way. During On the Job Training, I rarely asked about anything, and I learned less. Even with that kind of attitude, I quickly graduated from my Management Trainee Program and was then assigned a new occupation.
I am doing my job day to day without any complaint, but I have no ambitions too. Since I trained and built up my team well, I did my routine job perfectly. However, I rarely take any challenge, as well as rarely learning something new from my co-workers.
Comfort Zone
My career was stuck at a specific level for almost three years, and I have not learned many skills for years. I aware of it for a long time, but I still denied my weakness.
I could never learn from the right method and mentor if I denied my weakness.
I had an opportunity for a better career path. I have an invitation for an interview in a huge multinational company, with a better position and salary. However, I failed the process.
I was asked to present the best project that I ever finished as a professional achievement in the process. But I could not show any of it; in my position and time frame, I should have one or two big projects that I could proud of. But since I never gave my best in my job. I have learned that whatever I did was finishing my daily tasks, no more.
I had many chances to learn more, asking the people who have more experience than me and challenging myself to do more. I lost many opportunities because of my pride.
Be The Dumbest In The Room
If you don’t understand something, ask someone to explain it in a different way. Try to say it back in your own words to see if you got it right. If you don’t understand something, odds are others don’t either. And being the idiot in the room could end up being an act of service for others. — Simon Sinek
My reason for avoiding asking others, just like what Simon mentioned, was widespread happen. Let’s say we are in the class. Our teacher explains complicated things. Then we avoid asking even if we do not understand because we don’t want to look stupid.
By being dumb, it is okay to ask for everything I don’t understand, then learn from it. I need to release all my pride and respect the people around me.
It was hard at first since I had to adjust my mindset, then rebuild the connections with my co-workers that I felt did not necessary before.
Rebuild from The Scratch
After many rejections and position’s stuck, I learned that my arrogant attitude would lock up my potential. That is why I committed to change and build everything up from scratch.
I asked a lot of things regarding the job, as well as evaluations for my works. Then make a lot of improvement that I have to accomplish. At first, as an individual, then improving my teamwork with other divisions.
In the middle of 2020, I have another excellent opportunity to take another job. And here I am. I have signed up an offering from a start-up company with a better position.
I did not want to repeat the same mistake. So, what I did in the first months are learning and asking for others. I don’t mind if they thought I do not know operations, finance, supply chain, or even a production that I know well.
Being an idiot means we are learning every time to improve and be ready for every opportunity.
Thank you.
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