Shreyasdoshi Argues Dropping Hierarchical Thinking Accelerates Learning Post-Mid-30s

In a recent LinkedIn post, Shreyasdoshi explores a powerful, yet often overlooked, strategy for accelerating personal and professional growth: abandoning hierarchical thinking when selecting learning sources. Shreyasdoshi posits that this shift, particularly after the age of 35, can dramatically increase one’s rate of learning, potentially by a factor of ten.

The author contends that for high achievers, this ingrained hierarchical approach to learning acts as a significant impediment to achieving mastery. Shreyasdoshi points out that many individuals unconsciously filter who they deem worthy of learning from, typically only seeking knowledge from those they perceive as superior.

“Most people don’t consciously think about it, but it’s always there. They decide who is worthy to learn from and who isn’t. They only learn from people they “look up to”.”

This self-imposed limitation, according to Shreyasdoshi, becomes more pronounced with increasing success. As individuals achieve more, their pool of perceived ‘superiors’ shrinks, paradoxically reducing the vast opportunities available to learn from a diverse range of individuals. Shreyasdoshi challenges the notion that learning from everyone is an arduous task, asserting that it actually enhances critical thinking and leads to faster mastery.

The Barrier of Ego in Learning

Shreyasdoshi identifies ego as a primary obstacle to adopting a more inclusive learning mindset. While the idea of learning from everyone might seem counterintuitive or even humbling, the author frames it not as a moral imperative but as a practical necessity for achieving ambitious goals. This requires a conscious effort to quiet the ego, not for spiritual reasons, but for the purely pragmatic pursuit of self-improvement and success.

“It does require though that you confront your ego and quiet it a little, not for spiritual or moral reasons, but solely for the purely practical, capitalistic pursuit of your greater goals.”

The post highlights that while the concept is straightforward, its execution is challenging for many. Shreyasdoshi emphasizes that the ability to overcome this barrier is internal and cannot be bestowed by others, though awareness of the issue is the crucial first step.

Benefits of Non-Hierarchical Learning

The author outlines several key advantages to moving beyond a hierarchical learning model:

• Accelerated Learning: Shreyasdoshi believes this approach can increase the learning rate significantly, leading to faster mastery.
• Enhanced Critical Thinking: Engaging with diverse perspectives from all levels fosters a more robust ability to analyze and synthesize information.
• Improved Learning Experience: Learning from a wider array of sources can be more engaging and less restrictive than adhering to a narrow, top-down approach.
• Broader Access to Knowledge: It opens the door to learning from literally everyone, regardless of their perceived status or position.

Shreyasdoshi’s insights suggest that a fundamental re-evaluation of how we approach learning, particularly concerning the influence of ego and societal hierarchies, is essential for unlocking one’s full potential for growth and mastery in any field.

“And your look-up-to group shrinks in size as you achieve more success yourself, so you further deprive yourself of the great opportunity available to you: you can learn from everyone, literally everyone.”

Ultimately, Shreyasdoshi concludes that while the path to broader learning is illuminated, the journey itself is a personal one, requiring self-awareness and a willingness to challenge deeply ingrained mental models.