When I was much younger I took a course on leadership. At the end we had to make comments about each other. One person complimented me. While most of the others wanted to talk and be heard he said that I usually was quiet and observed. Then when I spoke he felt I earned the right to be listened to because I was actually coming from a learning position instead of from a here's what I know one.

I think that should be the way we should approach things whether in business of life. Observe first and judge second. Then when you speak it is from strength, not from speaking from ignorance,