Actually dumb, or visually neutral?

Odd topic, I know. Let me explain.

I'm working off of the phrase: It is better to have people think you are dumb, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Is it really? If I keep my mouth shut and not get corrected about what I am wrong about, how I can I learn from my mistake? I'd rather open my mouth be wrong and learn than to have avoided the entire experience for the sake of appearance.

So my question is to you IT professionals who work with younger people entering the field, like myself. Would you rather have someone who just 'nods and agrees' or someone who 'asks and learns' take a position of responsibility?

This is keeping in mind the person does learn from being wrong.

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Comments

za3bour

IMO I don't think there is anything worse than someone who nods and agrees because if you put this one by himself he will do a lot of mistakes and he might not even know.

earweed

"visually neutral" as you put it is the worst way to be. They will learn less and probably make more actual mistakes when it matters most.

cleanwithit

earweed wrote: »

"visually neutral" as you put it is the worst way to be. They will learn less and probably make more actual mistakes when it matters most.

I agree with this & I used to be this way. Like, I was always corrected when I was kid by my parents & family it kinda made me "Nod & Agree" instead of saying it..Whatever it may be, & I was always scared to say something wrong.

But, I have noticed that it's a flaw & I have been trying to take a more active approach by asking & doing...Because it's the best way to learn & it's okay to be wrong, like you said, "Only way you're going to learn"

dynamik

Remember, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

If you're really that afraid to ask questions there, find another place to work because that place sucks. There's nothing wrong with asking questions from those that are more experienced. Just do a bit of research beforehand and don't try to make them hold your hand for every little thing you don't understand. Hit up Google, Wikipedia, etc. Learn the basics so you can ask intelligent and meaningful questions.

ColbyG

Ask questions, or better yet, Google what you're confused about and try to pick it up on your own. Either way though, I think it's definitely better to ask seemingly dumb questions than to make dumb mistakes with with unknown outcomes because you were scared to look stupid.

mikedisd2

It doesn't matter if they ask questions or not, as long as they have a clear actual understanding of what needs to be done.

Some of the kids have shown to know more about certains things that me. Not that it's hard to.