When ego is out of balance, there is an inverse relationship between amassing knowledge and openness to learn; the more we know, the more confident we become. When our confidence in what we know increases to the point that we think there’s little left to learn, we’re less open to learn. That’s the point of danger; the lid to our box of knowledge begins to close and we lose relevance.

“In times of change, learners will inherit the earth,” said philosopher Eric Hoffer, “while the learned will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists”. To which futurist Alvin Toffler added, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” If we’re to increase our knowledge and relevance, the first step of leadership literacy is learning.

David Marcum, Steven B. Smith — Egonomics