A few weeks ago, I had lunch with a colleague who shared a disagreement he was having over resource allocation. He was adamant that he had the authority to ensure the outcome landed how he wanted it to and was convinced that his stance would not change after he met with the affected party. Guess what? After he learned more, he was convinced and agreed to back away from his request.
Last week, I had lunch with him again, but this time I was the one ranting, in my case about the (lack of) service from a car dealership and how I would not be buying from them. I was as firm in my conviction as he had been about his situation, but guess what? After clearing up a misunderstanding (and a nice ‘we’re sorry’ discount), I changed my mind and sealed the deal.
Both situations remind me of the songs from the classic musical South Pacific. One minute Nellie is singing I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair and in the very next song she sings I’m in Love, I’m in Love, I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy.
Sometimes it feels good to rant and rave and insist that you are on the correct side of an issue, but it also feels good to process new information and change your mind. Save the angst and consider a new year’s resolution to ease up on righteousness and lean more into inquisitiveness.
