Be Wrong to Get A Better Job

If you want to have a better chance landing that new job or getting that next promotion, don’t be afraid to admit that you are sometimes wrong.

According to Jeff Bezos, the Founder and CEO of Amazon, the smartest people are also the ones that make mistakes, change their opinions about things, and aren’t afraid to admit that an idea or concept they once held near and dear is no longer valid.  Mr. Bezos is more likely to want to work with you and will think you are a smarter person for admitting when you are wrong. This premise might be just the opposite of what you’ve always heard- “the smartest people are always right.”

According to some very creative and successful people, one of the reasons it’s important to be wrong is because the world is constantly evolving and changing, thus things don’t stay the same. Things that worked even last year (or yesterday!) may be obsolete today. “Intellectual Humility” is admitting that the way you’ve always done something is no longer the best way. It’s important to be humble enough to look at new methods and new ideas and be flexible enough to change your way of doing things.

If you consider yourself a life-long learner don’t be afraid to unlearn something in order to learn something new! One thing you can always count on is change. Adopt the attitude of “out with the old and in with the new.” Be courageous, curious, and open-minded, flexible, humble, and willing to say that there might be a better way of doing something, and you will stand a better chance of getting that job or that promotion. As a side benefit you’ll also stay more relatable and more in touch with present-day culture.