Am I Right?

A CEO I know was in a meeting when a team member suggested a new approach to an ongoing project. The CEO, confident in their expertise, immediately responded:

"Actually, that won’t work because…" and proceeded to lay out all the reasons “their way” was the right way. Their logic was solid. Their experience backed it up. Their reasoning was airtight.

And the conversation ended.

The project moved forward exactly as the CEO planned, but something felt off.

That team member, once engaged and full of ideas, stopped contributing in meetings. Over time, others did, too. Instead of a room full of discussion and collaboration, the meetings became one-sided. People nodded, agreed, and moved on.

Not because the CEO was always right, but because no one wanted to bother speaking up anymore. It just wasn't worth it.

We’ve all been there, that moment where we feel the need to correct, prove, or have the last word.

Sometimes it’s in a meeting.

Sometimes it’s in an email thread.

Sometimes it’s at home over something as small as how to properly load the dishwasher.

The impulse to be right is strong. But here’s the problem: Winning the argument often comes at the cost of losing the relationship.

When we focus on proving our point at all costs, we unintentionally:

Shut others down. People stop offering ideas because they feel unheard or dismissed.

Erode trust. No one wants to contribute if they know their perspective won’t be valued.

Eliminate dialogue. When people stop pushing back, you don’t get stronger ideas—you just get silence.

The need to be right can turn a conversation into a competition. And when people feel like they can’t “win,” they stop playing.

Being right might feel good in the moment. But being trusted, respected, and collaborative builds long-term success.

A Self-Aware Leader asks:

✔Am I listening to understand, or just waiting to respond?

✔Is my goal to be right, or to find the best solution?

✔Am I leaving room for dialogue, or shutting it down?

Because here’s the reality:

🔹 When people feel valued - they contribute more.

🔹 When ideas are heard - innovation happens.

🔹 When leaders let go of the need to be right - real conversations take place.

If you find yourself in a situation where you want to correct, prove, or have the last word, try this instead:

Pause before responding: Ask yourself: Is this about proving a point or about creating understanding?

Get curious instead of defensive: Instead of shutting an idea down, say: “That’s an interesting perspective—tell me more about how you see it.”

Make space for others: If you tend to dominate discussions, practice asking before answering. Try: “What do you all think?” before giving your opinion.

Learn to let go: Not every disagreement needs a winner. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let someone else’s idea take the lead.

🔹 Have you ever won an argument but lost the connection?

🔹 How often do you prioritize listening over proving a point?

🔹 The next time you’re in a disagreement, how can you shift from “being right” to strengthening the relationship instead?

Because at the end of the day, people won’t remember every debate you won… but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.

What’s one situation where you’ve caught yourself needing to be right? Let me know here—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

YOU MATTER!