I think we have to be. Dealing with other people creatively can be frustrating, and dealing with multiple people who have their own ideas about the same thing can be a downright nightmare. If we don't remain open minded to all and explore all ideas, we are selling the music short IMO.
As far as learning, with anything, drive isn't necessarily all that's needed. People learn differently, and all have a certain set of skills they possess that will determine how and at what rate they learn. My kid for example, she is borderline/high functioning autistic. She is 20. You would just think she is a bit weird when talking to her, but wouldn't know that she has a learning issue. She does not understand the world as we see it. Yet I can teach her to understand how to do things she is blind to, because I understand her. Her ability to learn is both better and worse than a normal person. Once she has it, she never forgets. Never. It could be 5 years later, and only having done whatever once, she can still repeat the operation in full without reminder. It amazes me.
There are people who are infinitely smarter than all of us but can't tie their shoes. There are people dumb as ? who have the ability to do things the intelligent can't. I think there is more to it than just determination, although I do agree that without determination you really won't get anywhere. You really have to want it.