Want to right a wrong? Stop believing you’re right!

May 4, 2011

You are wired to believe you’re right. Imagine if you were not wired that way; you would lack the courage and conviction to tie your shoes, let alone take big risks. There is a danger, though, in believing you’re always right. You will miss out on opportunities to advance and update your knowledge. As a leader, you must learn how to right a wrong and stop believing you’re always right.

If you believe you have learned enough and that what you know has served you well in the past and will in the future, you not only won’t grow more knowledgeable, you will likely stifle the growth of others. If you respond defensively to new and opposing perspectives, how long before your coworkers stop providing you with feedback? And if you’re their leader, what message are you sending? What incentive is there for your coworkers to experiment and grow?

Flying blind and alone, what risks will you and your coworkers face? And how prepared will you be to meet these risks?

Even if you believe you’re right, be sure to ask, “What if I’m wrong?”

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