Be Wrong and Pick Your Battles Carefully …

"Don’t’ fight a battle is there is no value in the win”, Erwin Rommel

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” - Peter T. McIntyre

You don’t always have to be right. For some, this is hard to accept. But it is true – so true as you go to work, relate to others, in life and in relationships. That stubborn (yes it is stubborn) drive to always be right, and never admitting fault can be a killer in life and most certainly in your career.

Have you noticed how some people seem to be constantly embroiled in battle on some level. They battle with their boss, their co-workers, other departments, etc. They has drama in their lives and family – it is almost always off-kilter. They become known for this ineffective behavior, their inability to accept responsibility, and it is often a career-killer. Those who battle everything and labeled as “difficult”, and are not team players. They do not grow – their value to the company is questionable. And in their lives, the drama continues – there is no peace – war rages on.

Picking your battles carefully – the battles that are truly important --- is leadership, personal and business maturity at its best. You’ll be happier and more content. Your value will consistently increase and you will go places.
Admitting that you are wrong, you “messed” up, or it was your fault – now that is leadership on al levels as well. The willingness to stand out, admit that you wronged, learn from it and showing others that it is not weak to make a mistake or do something wrong will be memorable to others. As we learn through life, the buck truly stops here – with you. You are responsible for your actions, no one else. You are responsible for your accomplishments and growth. And you are responsible when things go wrong.

Years back, an old boss of mine from my Garden Way (Troy-Bilt) days used to ask me all the time …”Moran – making enough mistakes?.....”. His message was clear, if you are truly trying to grow and improve, you will make mistakes, and they are good. They are learning experiences.

Be wrong and enjoy it. Let others know. Pick the battles you can win – and let the others go. And thank you for reading this. - Dan