SMART Conversations® at Work

Do you need to be right?

If you need to be right in your conversations, then you may be creating a lose-lose situation for you and your co-workers. It is really important to push your views and personal agenda on everyone? How do you feel when you are on the receiving end?

If you think win-win, where everyone wins and no one loses, you can give up the need to be right (have the best idea, etc.) and make it more important to listen and ask questions. This way, you will learn the "why” behind others' opinions. And, if you really open your mind, you may actually allow yourself to change your point of view.

When you can give up the need to be right, by listening and suspending judgment, you are more likely to be listened to and understood by others. Also, when you improve your listening skills and speak less, you will enhance your collaboration skills.

Try asking yourself this question: “Is always needing to be right getting me what I want?”