There is a cost to being right. When I want to be right, it makes others wrong. Could we both be right? It’s the question I ask myself when I recognize my ego working, my small-minded, limited thinking “acorn” brain. The term win-win comes to mind and sadly it’s been overused. How about this? I love questions so here are a few to ask your “self” the next time you catch that “wanting to be right” thinking.
1. What is the goal of all parties here? Do we actually want the same things, just in a different way?
2. What would happen if I just let go of wanting to be right and just listen, invite their point of view.
3. What did I hear? Would really listening hurt?
4. What works for others in this situation? What works for me?
5. What would happen if I let go of “winning for myself” and switch to “let’s see if we can make this work for everyone?”
The next time you catch your “self” wanting to be right, see if you can create an opportunity for everybody to win by creating an opening for dialogue. Imagine what the effect would be of your modeling this kind of behavior?
I can and I don’t want to be right… prove it to yourself and see what occurs.
Gratefully yours,
Steve
