Everyone thinks they are right. That’s why we have an opinion in the first place. We wouldn’t hold it if we didn’t believe it to be true. Sometimes our opinions are substantiated by clear and solid evidence. Sometimes they are not. Sometimes we’re right. Sometimes we’re wrong. No matter what, we think we’re right. And we don’t like to be wrong. The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter. For someone to be right, someone needs to be wrong.
Who wins an argument? Nobody. If we’re out for victory, the other must receive defeat.
When someone tells you you’re wrong (directly or otherwise) … How do you react? Are you easier or more difficult to work with? Are you more or less willing to contribute to the team? Do you look for the next opportunity to help the person?
Sometimes we tell people outright that they’re wrong. Sometimes we’re more subtle.
Edwin: ” The Asian swallow has a much longer range carrying coconuts.”
Elsevier: “I see what you’re saying … BUT (You’re as high as a pot-smoking monkey in a lab experiment), I think … the African swallow will carry the coconut further.”
What’s Elsevier really telling Edwin? You’re wrong. That bird won’t fly too far.
Do you have a really big BUT?
