Ego vs Assumptions: The Lost Art of Learning

Recently, an economic expert wrote separate articles on China’s remarkable progress for audiences in India and Vietnam. While the core message of both articles was largely the same, the reactions from the two countries were noticeably different.

In Vietnam, many readers approached the article with a spirit of curiosity. They were willing to listen, reflect, and ask where they could improve. In contrast, a significant number of Indian responses focused more on defending national pride and winning arguments than on understanding the underlying lessons. When this happens, we lose the art of samvad—meaningful dialogue.

Gone are the days when the loudest voice in the room wins the argument. The modern world rewards collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning. Nations, organizations, and individuals that learn fastest are often the ones that progress the fastest.

One of the most important skills in today’s world is learning to distinguish between a challenge to our ego and a challenge to our assumptions. When someone questions our assumptions, they are not necessarily attacking us. They may simply be offering a different perspective or highlighting a blind spot that we have failed to see. A mature strategic culture understands this distinction.

India’s reaction is also shaped by history. Having endured centuries of foreign rule and external criticism, many Indians naturally become defensive when outsiders point out weaknesses. Sometimes constructive criticism is interpreted as a personal or national attack. While this response is understandable, it can also prevent us from learning valuable lessons.

Ironically, we come from a civilization that has always placed immense value on knowledge and wisdom, regardless of its source. Our traditions teach us to respect the Guru—the one who helps us see what we cannot see ourselves.

As the famous couplet says:

“If both the Guru and God stand before me, whose feet should I touch first?
I bow first to the Guru, because it is the Guru who showed me the path to God.”

This wisdom carries an important message. A true Guru is not someone who merely praises us; a Guru is someone who helps us grow, even when the truth is uncomfortable. Sometimes that Guru may be a teacher, a friend, a competitor, or even an outsider pointing out our mistakes.

Perhaps the question we should ask ourselves is not why others criticize us, but why we are so quick to treat criticism as an attack on our ego. Why do we find it easier to defend ourselves than to learn? Why do we struggle to see an outsider as a potential teacher?

A confident nation is not one that believes it has nothing left to learn. A confident nation is one that is secure enough to acknowledge its weaknesses, learn from others, and improve continuously.

The future belongs not to those who win every argument, but to those who remain students throughout their lives. If we can revive the spirit of samvad and embrace criticism as an opportunity for learning rather than a threat to our identity, we will not only become better individuals but also build a stronger nation.

The choice before us is simple: we can protect our ego, or we can expand our understanding. History shows that progress belongs to those who choose the latter.