Teachers’ Day is just a fortnight away & the best way to welcome it definitely is by acknowledging the great teachers who crossed our path. While I’ve had the privilege of being taught by some really marvellous teachers in my student life, I’ve also learnt a lot by people who really weren’t my formal teachers but still taught me some of the best lessons for life which have helped me so far. This series of posts is to appreciate those selfless people (whom I would personally also say thanks to) who have taken a moment, and at times many moments, to teach me life lessons or give me sound advices which have stayed with me for long. They’ve been my mentors, my friends & my guides and I can’t be more grateful to have them in my life, even though some for a short period & thankfully some since eternity. But what is more important here is that everyone is a teacher if you let them be :)

Never be afraid to ask questions.

This one happens to be one of the best advices I’ve been given by one of the senior Directors then working in the Consulting sector. This also happens to be one of my most favourite one. We’d met for a family dinner & on learning that I was really interested in learning new skills and processes, he told me to never be shy of asking questions. For someone of my age then – early twenties, in college, bubbling with excitement over anything new – this was great advice! I honestly would be hesitant at times to ask something that intrigued me because of the fact that I may seem too inquisitive. But I was so wrong, and thanks to this gentleman, I was taught that even though you might feel the other person would think wrong, it’s mostly the opposite. Anyone of the right attitude would always appreciate questions from someone else, and not feel offended by them.

I’ve of course, benefitted from this advice over the years & learnt so much by voicing my doubts or asking for more information when not clear. And this is something I’ve also encouraged in our offices/sites. So while I do come across some really inquisitive people at times, it’s always been a mutual learning experience due to these question answer rounds.

So yeah, keep asking!