For some inexplicable reason, some people believe they have to be right – all the time.
Now we’re not talking about dialoguing enthusiastically, trading ideas and thoughts ardently, looking at different angles and approaches to a problem. We’re not talking about healthy conflict where opinions are argued vigorously, but when the argument is over, when agreement is reached, everyone moves forward – in the same direction.
What we are talking about is the person (boss, peer, business owner) who has to be right. As if somehow not being right is a defeat greater than Napoleon suffered at Trafalgar.
We all know someone like this. Sometimes they try to be right based on what they believe is superior knowledge, a grasp of statistics, an historical perspective. Sometimes, when they do not have “facts” at their disposal, they turn to: hubris, condescension, verbal intimidation, impatience, and dismissiveness. Anything to win, and win they do, more often than may seem right.
Now here’s the issue: needing to be right all the time is boring. It’s boring for everyone listening – if, in fact, they are still listening.
Bosses, peers, business owners achieve success and growth from gaining and growing their influence. Because at the end of the day, influence is all you really have. And people with an insatiable need to be right come up very short on the influenceometer.
Now you may argue that you know many people who have to be right and who are successful. In this week’s Quick Tips we will discuss the bell curve of behavior and demonstrate why influence is a strong indicator of success.
Copyright 2011 Kubica LaForest Consulting
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