Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us about an interchange between a master and a student. Rabbi Abba bar Zavda, had to correct his master, Rabbi Elazar about a particular recollection of an incident that affected the halachic analysis. Rabbi Elazar’s humble response was to quote Koheles (4:9), “Two are better than one”. 

He wanted to reassure his student that he welcomed the correction and feedback. Reishis Chokhma (Shaar Hakedusha 6) remarks that even though seclusion is important for spiritual development and introspection, one must still have a close friend to confide in. This is presumably because without that kind of feedback a person can get lost in their own echo chambers.

Our family members and lovers are sometimes the people who give us the most grief, but in truth they give us the most opportunity. They know us, warts and all. Even if, at times, their criticism is less than gentle, there is a good chance that many aspects of their complaints are worth listening to.

Tiferes Yisrael on Avos (4:6) discusses being able to learn from everybody. He mentions, even in matters that are based on tradition, there still are aspects that require logic and reasoning. Therefore, someone who is relatively unintelligent might see something you miss, and he must be taken into consideration.

Being influenceable and open to others is a key trait for marital and family harmony as well as personal growth. Being influenceable is not about giving in to others or thinking other people’s opinions are more important than yours. Rather, it’s simply about being genuinely open and warmly inviting other people’s opinions and perspectives.

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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