The Joy of Being Wrong (and Why It’s Actually a Superpower)

Most of us treat being wrong like it’s catching—like we might break out in a rash of embarrassment if we admit we don’t have all the answers. But Adam Grant’s Think Again flips that on its head, arguing that being wrong is actually great. Yep, you read that right—there’s joy in it!

As kids, we avoid being wrong like it’s broccoli at dinner. As adults, we still cling to our opinions for dear life because admitting we might be off feels like a self-esteem hit. But here’s the kicker: being open to changing our minds isn’t weakness—it’s maturity. And it might just save us from becoming the kind of person who only surrounds themselves with yes-men (and let’s be honest, those people aren’t fun at parties).

Arrogance, as Grant puts it, is just ignorance plus confidence. The truly smart folks? They ask questions, they listen, and—shockingly—they don’t assume they’re the smartest person in the room. In my career, I learned that the best solutions often come from listening to others, not from pretending I’ve got all the answers.

People fall into four levels of awareness:

Blissfully Clueless – Doesn’t know they don’t know. (Most dangerous.)
Aware but Curious – Knows they don’t know and seeks wisdom. (Solid leadership material.)
Knowledgeable & Growing – Knows they know but keeps learning. (High achiever.)
The Wise One – Seeks truth, questions biases, and understands all sides. (Think Socrates, not your uncle at Thanksgiving.)

Grant’s advice? When you realize you’re wrong, celebrate—you just learned something! And for bonus points, laugh at yourself. It’s a lot more fun than pretending to be perfect.

#learning #being wrong #relationships #Joseph Willmott #buildacashcow #Adam Grant

Joseph Willmott, CEO of the World Referral Network

jwillmott@worldreferralnetwork.com