Changing Your Mind at Work

Last week, I wrote about changing my mind about some personal beliefs and how, while I used to believe I couldn't change my mind out of sheer pride in being right, I've found I'm much happier and healthier when I allow myself to make a new decision when I realize an old one is causing harm.

Being honest with yourself is a huge part of continuing to grow as a person. And with self-honesty comes humility. Which comes first? I cannot say.

If you have any pride in your profession, you likely find it hard to admit you're wrong there. I've been a therapist almost twenty years. Not only is it embarrassing to get it wrong, but it's also potentially harmful to my clients. If I misdiagnose, we could be wasting their time and money. If I misalign myself in a marital case, I could end up hurting their connection even more. If I offend them, I could lose them as clients and end up with a small caseload.

A few years ago, I misaligned myself in a marital case. I was overly-harsh with one partner and overly-lenient with the other. After the session, I consulted with a colleague and spent some time thinking about what had happened and how to move forward. I realized I was wrong. I worried that I had perhaps offended badly enough that they wouldn't return. Thankfully they did.

I owned my mistake right away in the next session, apologizing directly and asking for forgiveness. The client began to cry and thanked me for my apology, stating that few people had apologized to them in their life. They expressed feeling very respected and valued. We continued our work together for quite some time, with more success.

This is what it looks like to change your mind at work. If things aren't going well, might you possibly be off? You are a human after all. You do have real limitations. Is there any part of the dynamic you can humbly own? With your colleagues, your clientele, or your authority figures, owning your mistakes and openly changing your mind is the humble and accountable way forward. Start today.

Are you a professional who desires productivity and collaboration in your work place? Have you found yourself surrounded by hyper-individualism or petty, conflictual relationships? Brandi is a seasoned therapist who has worked with countless groups to reconcile differences and streamline collaboration. If you'd like to get your group the support they need, consider hiring her for a training session or group negotiation. You can see her qualifications here.