Why Being Right Isn’t Always the Most Productive Answer

Do you have to be right?

Do you find yourself wasting time arguing petty things just to prove your point or show off your knowledge?

Don’t sabotage your productivity in the name of being correct.

Being Right Isn’t Always Productive

Sometimes, being right isn’t the most productive answer.

Recently, I was faced with a situation where paperwork I had submitted was hung-up in the system.

I knew my paperwork was correct. But, it wasn’t being processed correctly.

One way to approach this situation would have been to go see the individual responsible and tell them that they were wrong.

I could have insisted that my paperwork was correct and even given a lesson on how the system was supposed to work.

However, that could have taken an hour or more. And it would have put the other person on the spot and potentially embarrassed them.

So instead, I went in with a friendly smile and simply asked questions about the confusion.

Within 5 minutes the individual discovered the correct answer and the situation was remedied. All without more friction or delay.

“Being right isn’t always the best way to get your work done.” (Tweet this Quote)

If I had gone into the situation to argue, it could have resulted in more time, effort, and rework.

You Don’t Have to Win to Get What You Want

Giving someone a piece of your mind (or your knowledge) isn’t always the most efficient course of action.

Sometimes it is better to let situations work themselves out, than to be right.

Here are some things to consider before deciding you need to be right:

• Let Others Have Their Opinion – Many times, people just want to be heard. The argument you find yourself in may be a result of the other individual wanting to voice their thoughts. Let the other person have their say instead of fighting about who’s right.
• Don’t Inflict Your Opinion on Everyone – Some people have to be “Mr. Know It All” and tell everyone else about their vast knowledge. Sometimes it is better to keep that to yourself. Let the other person do their job, even if you think you know more or could do it better.
• Do You Want to Argue or Get Things Done? – Certain individuals just like to argue. This isn’t productive behavior. It wastes time, and often someone ends up bitter afterwards. Instead of arguing, look for solutions.
• Friction Now May Cost You More Later – You may win the immediate argument, but what happens when you are back with another issue? Especially in business, you don’t want to upset the person that you will need help from in the future.
• You Don’t Have to Win To Get What You Want – Being right doesn’t get the work done. In fact, often you can get more done by losing an argument. You can get what you want while letting the other person have their way or save face.

Right or Done?

Before you insist you have to be right, ask yourself if the argument is worth the time or effort.

Being correct may feel good in the moment, but it is usually not the most efficient way to get things done.

Your need to be right may help your ego, but it often doesn’t get the work done.

Question: Do cause yourself extra time and effort by insisting on being right? When have you gotten more done by not being right? You can leave a comment by clicking here.