Could You Be Wrong?

Everyone seems to have strong opinions these days — sometimes, even too strong. Many are convinced they’re right, but have they stopped to consider they might be wrong? While the notion may seem far-fetched, what if they are? Would they be humble enough to admit it and learn from the experience? After all, no one is right all the time.

Being wrong occasionally is perfectly normal. The issue arises when you refuse to admit mistakes because your ego gets in the way. When that happens, you’re bound to repeat the error because you didn’t take corrective action to avoid it in the future. As author John C. Maxwell said, “Mistakes are proof that you are trying; refusing to acknowledge them proves you are not.”

What’s Clouding Your Judgement?

Do you know anyone who’s right all the time? Probably not. This is often because personal biases and uninformed or outdated thinking influence decisions. Some people treat everything they hear as gospel without questioning it. When things go wrong, they have built-in excuses — relying on advice from a friend, a website’s recommendation, or research from a prominent journal. They don’t consider that the information might be biased, the research flawed, or the “expert” not an expert after all.

If your sources aren’t honest, the responsibility to fact-check falls on you. Acting on erroneous information can damage your credibility, lead to poor choices, trigger missed opportunities, and direct you down dead-end paths. If you care about distinguishing truth from falsehood, evaluate information for accuracy, honesty, objectivity, timeliness, and thoroughness. Be skeptical, do your homework, listen with your mouth closed, and be open to opposing viewpoints.

10 Guidelines for Making Informed Decisions

Making informed decisions is crucial for success. Here are 10 guidelines to help you navigate an ever-changing world…

Cultivate an open mindset. Closed-mindedness often stems from a lack of exposure to diverse ideas, fear of change, or a comfort in existing beliefs.

Pursue diverse perspectives. Seek sources that offer varying viewpoints, rather than those that reinforce your existing opinions. Remember, surrounding yourself with “yes” people is like talking to yourself.

Encourage constructive debate. Challenge your opinions. When you silence opposing views, or avoid debate, you limit your perspective. If you want someone to agree with you all the time, get a bobblehead.

Acquire firsthand information. Rely on original sources or risk spreading inaccurate or distorted information. Remember the children’s game “telephone,” where players whisper a message from one person to the next, often resulting in humorous distortions.

Verify your sources. Assess if the information is rigorous, honest, and objective. Evaluate the source’s qualifications, expertise, and track record for accuracy and integrity. Additionally, cross-check the information with multiple sources to ensure its validity.

Pursue unbiased communication. Determine if the messenger has any personal bias or a vested interest in the outcome.

Distinguish between opinion and fact. Is the information presented as opinion or fact? As former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan eloquently said, “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”

Brainstorm possible alternatives. Evaluate evidence, explore options, and consider every perspective rather than favoring one.

Think out of the box. Acknowledge that you might not always be right. Explore “what if” scenarios and develop contingency plans in case you’re wrong.

Make your own decisions. Trust your instincts — truth is not a popularity contest.

What If You’re Wrong?

No matter how carefully you handle information, you won’t always be right. Ego and bias can cloud your judgment, so embrace humility. Mistakes are a part of being human, and acknowledging your potential for error can lead you to the truth. As author Charles R. Swindoll said, “To err is human; to deny it is foolish.”

Check out Frank’s new book, BECOME: Unleash the Power of Moral Character and Be Proud of the Life You Choose