An inspiring LinkedIn post by Mridul Anand, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, has resonated with readers nationwide. In the now-viral post, Anand revealed a classroom exchange that began as an argument but concluded with a life lesson about empathy, assumptions, and quiet bravery.
Anand recalled what seemed like a routine class until a disengaged student suddenly began asking a flurry of questions. The topic was CACs, LTVs, and retention curves—topics previously discussed. As the student continued questioning, Anand admitted to initially feeling challenged and even slightly offended.
“Even my smartwatch flashed an alert—‘Abnormal heart rate!’” he wrote, describing the intensity of the 20-minute exchange.
But what truly changed Anand’s perspective was what followed in the next class.
The student, who had never spoken much, came up to Anand after class. He admitted he had been troubled by self-doubt for a long time and had just been rejected in a placement group discussion with feedback that he needed to "speak more." That rejection had driven him to work harder in class—what Anand had misinterpreted as defiance was actually a courageous stab at change.
“What I saw as defiance was actually courage,” Anand reflected. “With each question, my mind had spun its own story, layering assumptions, reinforcing bias, and closing the door on understanding.”
The professor's post has opened discussions about how students' difficulties are frequently misinterpreted, and how even teachers can unintentionally fall into the patterns of bias.
He concluded with a reflection that resonated widely with both teachers and professionals: “It’s strange how quickly questions can feel like threats. Maybe the answer is to meet these moments with curiosity, not resistance. Because questions aren’t attacks. The smartest thing isn’t always being right but staying open, especially when it’s hardest.”
Anand's post is now going viral for its humility and honesty reminding both educators and professionals alike that sometimes, the best lessons are those we never anticipated learning.
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