So What If You Are Wrong?
AND Can Learn Something From It
Goal: discuss a strategy for learning from opinions of others
I have said many times to myself and others that,” I am wrong, prove me right”. This phrase confuses people.
I always start with the position that I am wrong. By choosing to believe that I am wrong, I am forcing myself to listen and learn. My focus can turn towards what the other person is offering and learn.
Once they have offered their arguments and stories, I have to then put on my critical hat and examine as to whether what they believe is better than what I believe. Is the source a valid source for this information?
Sometimes what they believe is so obviously correct that I would be a fool for not changing my opinion to match theirs. There is no pride involved. If they are right and I am wrong, I will admit it and move on.
However sometimes they are obviously wrong. I will tell them that I do not agree, why I believe that what I believe is correct, and drop it. I will not try to force them to my side. They have the freedom to believe that they are correct and that I am wrong. For me I retain the freedom to believe that even though I believe that my position is wrong that it might be the best option for the moment.
There have been times when people have disagreed with this strategy. They do not believe in stating that I am wrong. I have discussed it with many folks and am yet to be convinced that believing that I am right and then expecting people to change my mind is a better approach.
It seems to me that once you make up your mind that you are correct it takes a higher threshold to be convinced that your belief is wrong. To me this is where the ego comes in to play and pride to admit that you are wrong. By admitting from the start that I am wrong, I am looking to be educated and made better informed.
My two cents….(this is what I earned from Medium.com in October 2020)
I got to go…my future self alarm went off
Robert Trajkovski is professional with experience in leading people and projects in Steel/ Power, Refining, Chemicals, Industrial Gasses, Software, Consulting and Academia. He has worked for both owners and engineering companies. In addition, he has instructed 73+ courses at several institutions and often offers his courses for free on LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberttrajkovski/
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