Wanting To Be Right

The title alone of this blog post could start to turn heads or demand some eye rolls however for the sake of positive communication, learning something new or helping others, let’s dive in!

Most of the people I have met in my life both personally and professionally share a desire to help others, get educated, learn and make a good name for themselves.?

People, generally speaking, have a desire to be right so let’s start with a few premises:

1.)??People want to be knowledgeable and “in the know”

2.)??Knowledge is power

3.)??Most people want to know what is right and what is wrong

4.)??Most decent people use common sense and know the difference between right and wrong

Let’s dig deeper while remembering that differing personalities interact in communication while remembering also to have an open mind because sometimes when another demands to be right the other individual may just learn something new by letting go or bowing out to avoid an argument or conflict.

It is ok to both be right or both be wrong from time to time and humility and expertise of subject matter come with experience, education and practice in communications.?

Sometimes, showcasing your stance or point of view becomes important.

Other times people are proving a point which can feel good or annoying depending on if you are trying to give or receive a positive outcome and intentional lesson to be learned.?

Many times people want and need to protect and defend their reputation.

Those who are right, correct and educated tend to be more credible because they have spent their time, energy and resources on learning, communicating and giving back.

When social media is involved, and let’s face it, socials are becoming a norm in and around our daily lives, raising the bar to accept higher standards for online disagreements and points of view is needed now more than ever.?

Over the years so many Americans have worked countless hours on Section 230 and decency in communications.?It has only been in recent years that online communications has impacted our lives greater than telephones or word of mouth communications in my opinion.

Online and offline communications impact us differently because of items like tone, verbal and non-verbal and how well we know the individual doing the communicating.?

Often times, not knowing the whole story compels us to want to seek more knowledge, understanding and context.?When we hear, “did you hear the news”, it immediately brings to our attention putting on our listening hat and becoming engaged in conversation and communications.?

During these discussions, it is more listening and conversing and not necessarily a desire to be right yet to get the most accurate information and intelligence in communications.

Each of us has our own style, tact, decency and skillsets as we communicate both online and offline.?We all become pulled to wanting to be around those of us who are positive, educated, skilled and seek correct knowledge, information and intelligence while being at the right place at the right time.

Hopefully this read has helped shed some light and thought on the topic of wanting to be right and sparks some great conversations in your personal and professional lives.

During the course of commerce or at events, conferences and ceremonies, there can be a desire to see and be seen by our peers, colleagues and associates.?Often times we need to get noticed, get business and get referrals and some tips and ideas here should be able to help you do just that while working on your communication skills.

Who you know, who knows you and whom you choose to listen to and why generally guides the path and journey for you.?

Ben Washburn