Monday, April 21, 2003

Proving you right

When you win an argument, if indeed such a thing is possible, what have you really won? When you’re able to prove that you are right and the other person is wrong, what value have you created?

Proving to someone else that you are right does nothing to help you or to help the other person. Mainly what it does is inject tension into the relationship.

When you can let go of your attachment to being right, you become free to follow more productive, value creating pursuits. Just imagine how much more free you will be when you are no longer distracted by the need to prove that you’re right.

Certainly it is great to have the admiration and respect of others. And the surest way to gain that is to stop worrying about having to prove that you’re right.

Put your energy and creativity into cooperation and understanding rather than into winning arguments. That’s what will truly create the most lasting value for everyone involved.

— Ralph Marston

You already are       Ask effectively

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