We’ve all had this annoying conversation. You’ve been on both sides of it. Admit it.

I had a conversation with a friend yesterday. He was totally sure about something we disagreed over. I could tell he knew he was right, I was wrong, and had to convince me of it. Frankly, I felt I was right and he was wrong, but I didn’t feel so compelled to convince him of anything.

Like I said, we’ve all been on both sides of that conversation. Convincer and convincee. We don’t like being told we’re wrong. We also can’t stand when someone else gets things so wrong and just won’t listen to reason.

Today I realized a great life lesson:

Any time you think you’re right and someone else is wrong but won’t listen, you’re probably pissing someone off.

Come to think of it, I can probably shorten that.

Any time you think you’re right and someone else is wrong, you’re probably pissing someone off.

I find that lesson holds whether you’re right or not.

More generally, conversations often have a factual side and an emotional part. Even if you are right on the facts (though I suspect at least that you’re missing their point of view, which likely has relevance, if you feel compelled to convince them of something), you may be missing another element of the conversation, which may be hurting you.

• ← Why football is better than soccer. Actually, why any sport is better than soccer.
• An entrepreneurial example of leading by example →