Changing Your Mind is a Strength

I want to talk about something that is true for a lot of us. We are stubborn. When we have our mind made up about something, or an opinion on a topic, we hold onto that perspective very tightly. It makes sense because there is an identity built within that viewpoint, from which we have drawn other conclusions and generated other opinions. 

The problem is though, that when we’re challenged in that opinion, it becomes more a matter of protecting our perspectives than having an open conversation about what is right. This happens across the board from social issues to common preferences to politics to religion. 

I believe the reason we do this is because we don’t want to be wrong, because if we are wrong, what does that say about us? We’re incompetent, ill-informed, uneducated, and therefore not valuable.

But, what if I were to flip it for you and tell you that changing your mind is a strength? Hmm. Well it is, and here’s why.

When you have the awareness to recognize that your perspective or opinion isn’t completely accurate, and you take action to renew or improve it, it’s actually a major display of emotional maturity. It demonstrates that your identity isn’t tied to you being right on something, but instead suggests an overall capacity and willingness to become more right in many different things. This more generally lifts your value, displays that you can become educated, opens the door to conversations that will allow you to be more informed, and therefore you are more competent.

3 of the most powerful words a leader can say are “I don’t know” because the vulnerability in it implies confidence. It’s an expression of humility in asking for support, and it’s proactive in its approach to find the answer.

So believe it! Changing your mind is a strength, and when you become open to being persuaded, you’ll stumble upon much more authentic, pure, and appropriate strategies for life.