How easy is it for us to allow ego and desire to drive our actions to be perceived as knowledgeable, the one with the answers, or at least to avoid feeling like a fool? It's easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing being "right" above all else. I need to ask myself if I have done this and should I be shifting my focus? What if, as leaders, we valued accuracy and learning more than the fleeting satisfaction of proving a point or trying to be the smartest person in the meeting? I hope that this article can help us all see that a shift in mindset can be transformative, fostering growth, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of our team members while building better solutions. We need to consider the idea that having something to learn is far more valuable than having something to prove.
Some of the Pitfalls of Being "Right"
Closed-Mindedness: When our focus is on being right, we become resistant to new information, alternative perspectives, better solutions, more complete work, and even better client satisfaction. We shut down creativity, and that pigeonholes us into our reality and self-absorption. This ends up hindering our ability to learn and develop.
Stunted Growth: The insistence on being right leads our teams to stagnation; they stop questioning, exploring, and challenging our assumptions. This limits the team’s potential for development and shuts down creativity.
Damaged Relationships: When we act on the “need to be right”, we create conflict and tension in our relationships. This will lead to arguments, defensiveness, a breakdown of trust, and eventually silence. Silence means indifference, which is the opposite of joy and thriving.
Missed Opportunities: By clinging to our preconceived notions, our teams miss out on valuable insights and opportunities for innovation.
The Value of Accuracy and Learning
Openness to New Ideas: When we prioritize accuracy in our teams, we and they are encouraged to be open to new information, even if it contradicts existing beliefs. We foster lifelong learners who are constantly seeking to expand their knowledge and understanding.
Continuous Improvement: Learning is a continuous process of refinement. By helping our teams to embrace a growth mindset, we can constantly improve our team’s skills, knowledge, and perspectives.
Stronger Relationships: When we value accuracy and learning, we create a welcoming environment for open dialogue and collaboration, even with tough topics. We become better listeners and more empathetic communicators.
Informed Decision-Making: Being accurate leads to better decision-making. By seeking out reliable information and considering multiple perspectives, we can help our team make more informed and effective choices.
Innovation and Creativity: Building a team culture that values learning fosters innovation and creativity and helps be a springboard to growth and thought leadership. By encouraging experimentation, questioning assumptions, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity, we help our teams unlock new possibilities and find new horizons.
Shifting the Mindset: Practical Strategies
Embrace Curiosity: It is important to cultivate a genuine curiosity about the world around us. Lead by example; ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek out fresh perspectives.
Practice Active Listening: Help our teams focus on understanding the other person's thoughts, experiences, professional background, and personal opinions rather than formulating an immediate response.
Admit When You're Wrong: If you are like me, this is a tough one. Don't be afraid to admit when you've made a mistake or when you've learned something new. This helps those you lead see the value of humility.
Seek Feedback: Actively solicit feedback from others and be open to constructive criticism. I will often ask for 3 things from those in my care.
What should I stop doing?
What am I doing that I need to do more?
What should I start doing?
Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome: So long it does not lead to or is not part of a crisis situation, value the journey of learning and discovery, rather than solely focusing on the end result.
Cultivate Humility: Remember that no one has all the answers. Embrace the idea that there is always something new to learn.
In today’s business environment, we are often rewarded when we provide certainty. It takes courage to prioritize accuracy and learning over being "right." But the rewards are immeasurable. By embracing a growth mindset, we can lead our teams to become more open-minded, adaptable, and successful individuals. Remember, the most valuable asset you can model for those in your care is the willingness to learn, not the need to prove. Choose to have something to learn rather than something to prove.