As human beings, we don’t possess the abil- ity to see the world through the eyes of a tiger or dragonfly, needing instead to resort to mere guesswork, or rely on computerised simula- tions of world perceptions other than our own. In the same way, none of us is able to see the sunrise as another person sees it, to hear music as another hears it, to undergo the same experience as another while reading a book. We seldom think about this, and even less often notice it in the course of our daily interactions; thus, we are prone to being hurt or confused by matters of miscommunication. This column, writ- ten for this issue by one of the most influential women on the planet, explores the subtle, complex fabric of our world perception, and reminds us of the importance of striving for greater mutual understanding each and every day.
When I was asked to write this column, and as I reflected on the world around us, one main thought kept reappearing: how our world would be so much better if only we as human beings understood each other better — if we were to focus on what we have in com- mon, rather than what divides us. It gives me hope that there are still so many around the world who choose to dedicate time and effort to seeking knowledge and sharing it with others. No matter how insignificant it may seem at an individual level, this cumulative building of knowledge grows larger every time another mind raises a question or submits an answer.
The path to knowledge doesn’t happen through academia alone. Some of the most precious pieces of what one can call wisdom or experience come from reconsidering what we learned in schools, or from different kinds of books — stories written by the light cast from real life experiences — not necessarily one’s own, but those we observe while on this earthly journey.
This simple experiment helped us to comprehend the difficulties people face while trying to reach common ground, wherein the same word, event, or appearance can be understood and interpreted in a million different ways.
Looking back at my first job after graduation, I learned a lot about strategy and finance, but one experience still stands out in my mind. It was at one of the employee training seminars at Ernst & Young, where I worked just after college. There were around twenty-five participants. The trainer gave us all the same instructions, and we had to perform a few simple operations, which consisted of taking a standard, A4 sheet of paper and folding it in a specific manner, following verbal instructions given by the trainer. When the time given to accomplish the task was over, the trainer went up to each participant to check the final outcome. Normally, one would expect us to have the same results, one identical shape, but in the end, we ended up with four or five different ones. The training participants were from different countries, not only Bahrain, which could explain the different interpretations. However, even the participants from the same country followed the instructions differently.
I was really impressed by this. This was a simple task. It required carrying out uncomplicated operations. The variety and unpredictability of our results seemed unbelievable. This simple experiment helped us to comprehend the difficulties people face while trying to reach common ground, wherein the same word, event, or appearance can be understood and interpreted in a million different ways. In order to avoid conflict in such situations, we shouldn’t point out incorrect understandings or interpretations, even if the interpreter is confident that his or her insight is more correct than everybody else’s. We must build the common grounds for reaching a new means of interpretation, one that can be accepted by most, by clarifying the steps to interpretation with more detailed instructions, or by simply accepting the different answers as all equally correct.
The talent and wisdom of our mentors affects us, guiding us in the right direction, even when we don’t realise it.
In life, we all have mentors, who guide us and provide advice when we are going through tough times, whose words and actions can influence us significantly for many years to come. Certainly, in every person’s life, especially during adolescence, there are plenty of times when we refuse to listen to the voice of experience and reason, and we make decisions at our own risk and peril. I used to refer to unsuccessful experience as failure, but one of my mentors enlightened me, convincing me to view success and failure, in business or life experience, simply as events. I was able then to accept each experience as a moment in our timeline, which, all together, make up the story of our life’s journey. I also find myself agreeing with the words of Hegel: “We learn from history that we do not learn from history.” What we can be taught are the skills for dealing with the cards that life hands us.
The talent and wisdom of our mentors affects us, guiding us in the right direction, even when we don’t realise it. I recall a very good piece of advice from one of my college professors. Even though he offered it to help us answer exam questions, it also applies to other aspects of life. What he told us was, “It is important to understand the meaning of the question before answering it.”
He was one of my favourite teachers — wise, professional, and a great speaker. He always told his students, that, without first ensuring proper understanding of the question, multiple pages of writing could be directed towards the wrong answer, though that is not to say it isn’t necessarily the correct answer to a different question.
I believe that life would be boring if we truly were to think we have all the answers. Continually questioning, searching for facts that validate or dispel prevailing ideas and concepts — that’s what keeps life interesting. One of the best ways to keep curiosity alive is to travel. I view travelling as one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. It endows us with the capability of learning about people outside of our usual circles, whether social, cultural, religious, economic, or otherwise. I would even dare to say that most of the valuable knowledge I have gained, at least in my own eyes, has been from people and experiences outside of my circle of life.
Today’s world is not the mysterious, undiscovered one we see in the fairytales of Sinbad’s journeys. However, when you are travelling, you discover the world using your own senses; you observe, listen, think, thus creating a considerably richer, more complex and individualistic reflection of the world around you. You gain a priceless experience of openness, appreciation, and empathy, which are vital to any good deed, whether in business, charity, or creative work.
I’m absolutely confident that every human being, man or woman, can make the world a better place. We cannot wait for some kind of specially-appointed politicians, bureaucrats, or diplomats to take action.
As a seeker of knowledge, it is easy for me to talk about my teachers, as learning is a daily experience. I can learn from reading a book, watching something on TV, talking to someone at the airport, catching part of a debate, or engaging in cas- ual conversation. Knowledge is everywhere, and available for anyone to grab hold of. But it is a continuous process: if we stop, the knowledge tree we’ve grown can wither and fade. It requires daily nourishment. It is harder for me to talk about myself as a teacher. In life, we all play the part of both the giver and the seeker of knowledge. I always find that it’s the student who is best able to judge the input of teachers and mentors. But I cherish every opportunity I get to share whatever pieces of knowledge I can with those around me, from relatives and colleagues to anyone who engages me in minor interaction, even strangers. I’m absolutely confident that every human being, man or woman, can make the world a better place. We cannot wait for some kind of specially-appointed politicians, bureaucrats, or diplomats to take action. It all starts with us, and it all depends on us, on what actions we choose to take day to day, on whether or not we are ready not only to hear, but also to listen to one another. Are we prepared, every day, to spend a little time ensuring we understand the question correctly before answering it? Are we prepared to view every person as a teacher and every event a lesson?
