Planning to be wrong is a good way to be more right
We are all wrong. We might as well plan for it.
Welcome to being wrong
We are all wrong. From time to time, or all the time, being wrong is inevitable, and it doesn't have to be bad. There is a stigma to being wrong that isn't necessary.
Being wrong is human and an opportunity for growth, improvement, and learning. Being wrong opens the door toward being more right, not entirely right, but at least coming closer to the truth.
The moment we are wrong is one of those rare, beautiful moments in life when we can improve in an instant simply by admitting that we were wrong. That admission instantly levels us up, making us better, and helping us to learn how to be even better the next time.
Planning to be wrong
Being wrong has value for leaders. So, the best leaders plan to be wrong and know how to grow from it. Planning to be wrong isn't about hoping you will be, but about recognizing there will be times you will be wrong and having a plan for how to deal with it.
What will you do when someone that leads you says you are wrong? What about when someone you lead tells you? If you are a naturally defensive person, this plan may look like taking a moment to be quiet and take a beat to consider things. Or, if you are a naturally passive person, your plan may be to consider the ways you should stand up for yourself. It's helpful to know your tendencies ahead of time and make a plan to seek the truth in spite of or in light of those tendencies.
Planning to be wrong is just a way of remaining open to the possibility that you may be wrong or that someone else may have a better idea.
Leadership reading from this week
Why Servant Leadership is Becoming the Leadership Style of the Future - In college, I took a class on servant leadership; I’m glad to see that almost 20 years later, it’s being studied and taken seriously.
Effort does not equal value - This is another post from my friend Mickey and was a great reminder that being busy as a leader doesn’t matter; it’s the value we bring that matters. We must strive to provide high value in all we do.
With So Many People Quitting, Don’t Overlook Those Who Stay - The stats are in, and the Great Resignation is real. But, even as we are dealing with that reality, we need to make sure we see and care for the team members that stay.
Steve Jobs's 3-Point Formula for Leading Effective Meetings Was Brilliant. We Need to Get Back to It - It’s a pretty simple formula; (1) keep the invite list small, (2) keep the agenda to three items or less, (3) make the meeting 30-minutes or less.
The New Rules for Emailing - Let’s be honest, all our organizations need to be better with email. This article is a great starting point.
This week I’m thinking about personality assessments.
I’ve been a long-time fan of the DISC profile, Strengths Finder, and other similar assessments. So, I was pretty excited this week when one of my favorite academics, Adam Grant, partnered with Ray Dalio to create their own personality assessment. I was even more excited to discover that it’s free! You can see more and take it here.
Other great reading from the week
A Brief History of Children Sent Through the Mail - This was fascinating. I had no idea that historically kids had been mailed to their grandparents.
You Should Spend More Time Doing Nothing — That’s When You Actually Grow - The idea behind this article is that doing nothing, allowing your mind to wander, helps you to grow.
iPhones in old paintings — Is this evidence of Time Travellers? - This is a silly post and an excellent reminder that we are so obsessed with our phones that we now see them in old paintings as well.
Great podcasts from the week
Who's the Boss? - WorkLife with Adam Grant - Employees are looking for more than just a paycheck, they want work that is meaningful and has value. This episode explores how leaders should navigate these needs while also addressing the needs of the business and its stakeholders.
My Podcasts to check out
Tech Talk Y’all - My tech/comedy news podcast.
TogetherLetters - My podcast about the app that I’m helping build to keep people better connected.
Real Pink - I host the national podcast for Susan G. Komen. If you want some inspiration or information about breast cancer, give it a listen.
TechBridge Talks - A podcast about using technology to end generational poverty.
That’s a wrap!
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