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Are you willing to be wrong?
The best of us know we have to be wrong if we are to succeed in the process of realizing our potential. But this wisdom is not always demonstrated as some people establish networks around them. Many build communities around themselves that reinforce what they want to believe, rather than what they should discover. As the experts in brain science are telling us, we long to belong to those who see the world as we do. To regularly network with people who don’t agree with us – that would be crazy and leave us vulnerable, right? Wrong. Not doing so makes us vulnerable.
It’s worth considering: As you go into your next meeting, who will you sit by? (And what’s your motivation?) The next email you read – what have you already decided before you open it?
We can borrow from David Carr and his political commentary: “More often than not, when we tune in to cable or fire up the Web, we are staring into the mirror, not looking out a window.”
Just because one group is louder than another doesn’t mean they have the best solutions. Try this: The next time you’re in a meeting and the vocal have had their say, insist: I’d like to hear some alternative perspectives on this topic before we make a decision.
The willingness to be wrong, the courage to explore another world view, is the beginning of finding the most effective path forward.
AWESOME!
Thanks John – you’ve proven yourself to be remarkably open minded over the years. An inspiration for many. Thank you!
Craig
Wow! Powerful message Craig! Here is me looking out of a window more and more 🙂
Fariba! Your desire to keep looking out the window doesn’t surprise me. The thirst for improvement that you model is remarkable. Thank you!
Craig
Superstar teams are not built with like minded thinkers or talents. It just doesn’t get more compicated than that.
Thad – always great to read your words. You and other colleagues at your resilient and important organization have always made significant leadership points, and one of them: Leadership doesn’t need to be complicated. I’ve quoted that ever since – because it’s true. Thank you!
Craig
Staring into the mirror means that we usually want to see similars or what we want instead of look beyond out a window becoming on growing?