I had always prided myself on my strong opinions and the ability to express them without any filter. I’d never been afraid to speak my mind and I firmly believed that I was always right.
So, when I was corrected for something I said one day, I was completely taken aback.
Got ‘schooled’ by a colleague one day
It all started with an innocent discussion with a few colleagues at work. We were talking about someone’s new car and I made a comment about how it was too flashy for my taste.
One of my colleagues disagreed and said that there was nothing wrong with a bit of style. I was quick to dismiss her opinion and said that I knew better because I’d been driving the same car for years.
That’s when it happened. My colleague turned to me and said, “You may think you know everything, but you’re wrong.”
She went on to explain why my opinion was outdated and how I should make more of an effort to consider others’ points of view.
I was completely taken aback. I had never been spoken to like that before and I was embarrassed. I could feel my cheeks getting hot and I immediately regretted ever opening my mouth.
I tried to defend myself, but my colleague was having none of it. She calmly explained why my opinion was wrong and then moved on to another subject.
I was left feeling humiliated and I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out.
I had never been corrected like that before and it was a bitter pill to swallow. I had always been so confident in my own opinions and it was a huge shock to be told that I was wrong.
It made me realize that I needed to start listening to what others had to say and not just assume that I knew best.
I still talk without any filter, but I’ve learned to be more open-minded and consider other people’s opinions. I know that I’m not always right and that’s okay.
I’m learning to be more humble and accept when others have a different point of view.