There is a difference between have an opinion, an experience, an assertion and arrogance. Arrogance is often black and white, with the arrogant one being right and the rest of us wrong. Having an opinion or assertion is generous and additive. An assertion shares your perspective and experience of the world with others. But holds it lightly, with an open hand while arrogance swings a closed fist.

Learning is all about assertions. Testing them. Hearing others. Discussing them. Listening to them. And applying them.

Our meetings, workshops, discussions need more generous assertions. They should not be a passive activity – we have movies and films for that. But please leave your arrogance at home, we don’t need more of that.

Photo by Zahra Amiri