The goal is not to be right

One of the biggest obstacles to good decision-making is the desire to win the argument. When our identity becomes attached to being right, we stop listening and we defend our position, seek evidence that confirms our views, and become less willing to consider alternatives. The discussion shifts from finding the best solution to protecting our ego.

I do not claim to be right about everything, and I do not feel the need to be. In fact, I think one of the most valuable leadership qualities is intellectual humility: the willingness to challenge your own thinking, update your beliefs, and change your mind when presented with better evidence. For me, the goal is not to prove that I am right. The goal is to become less wrong.

This mindset creates space for curiosity, better questions, and more thoughtful decisions. It encourages diverse perspectives, reduces defensiveness, and leads to stronger outcomes for teams and organisations. The best leaders are rarely those with all the answers, they are the ones who create the conditions for better thinking. What do you think? Is the role of leadership to be right, or to help the organisation make better decisions?