"The key realization here is that I wanted to be a top performer. I aimed to excel in the domains I am good at and consciously decided which areas I would not focus on. I realized that anyone who chooses to be a top performer is not born one. You don't see a baby wake up and say, "Wow, I'm fantastic at VLOOKUP, Excel modeling, and financial calculations." They start as a blank canvas, "tabula rasa," and through learning, they become great CFOs, salespeople, accountants, CEOs, and founders. It's a process where people learn and evolve into top performers over time." - Jeremy Au
"We had overlooked people’s organic behavior and true journey over the years, which often remains outside of our vision and awareness. Their private story of growing from an amateur to an expert requires humility to understand that you don't know everything and courage to show vulnerability. Many people in the world will see you asking questions and think less of you, making it naturally scary. It’s understandable to be afraid because society does penalize question-askers in some way. That's why I find it crucial to be part of teams where asking questions is the cultural norm." - Jeremy Au
"It's important to set an explicit code of conduct in your team that encourages asking questions. When you join a new job or environment, there's usually a social relaxation period where asking questions is more permissible. Take advantage of this time. Ask as many questions as possible when you start a new job, join a new country, or begin a new project. Even as this social permission fades, continue asking questions of yourself and your team to ensure continuous learning and pushing boundaries." - Jeremy Au
In this episode, Jeremy Au speaks on Don't Ask Stupid Questions versus high performer learning and humility.
Keywords: Don't Ask Stupid Questions, High Performer Learning, Humility, Mentorship, Singapore, VC, Mentorship, Thought Leadership
