They were looking for someone who asks questions like, “Is the person still alive?” “When is their birthday?” “What’s the current year?” rather than jumping to a quick conclusion.

My instinct had been to answer quickly and confidently, thinking that speed meant competence.

But in that moment, I understood something deeper: sometimes being right isn’t about answering fast—it’s about thinking carefully, asking the right questions, and considering the bigger picture.

The interviewer continued, “In our work, assumptions can lead to serious mistakes.

We value curiosity, not just confidence.”

After the interview, I walked out feeling oddly thankful—even though I’d been corrected in front of strangers.

It didn’t feel like failure; it felt like growth. That simple question about age had opened my eyes to something more meaningful: in life, accuracy often