Being right is overrated – why smart people change their minds

Dunning-Kruger in action: the loudest are rarely the most informed.

Everyone loves to call themselves open-minded – until reality asks for proof.

We glorify conviction in our culture. We celebrate people who “stick to their guns,” even when the target has moved. Politicians are praised for doubling down, while CEOs are praised for pivoting.

When a company changes course based on new data, we call it agility. When a political leader does the same, we call it waffling. Same behaviour, different badge. That’s the irony of modern life: flexibility in business earns respect, but flexibility in thought invites criticism.

The Strength to Pivot

Changing your mind isn’t weakness, it’s evolution. The smartest people I know don’t cling to beliefs that no longer fit the evidence. They update them. It’s not about fitting in with the tribe or following trends, it’s about following the facts wherever they lead.

When Amazon founder Jeff Bezos talks about decision-making, he calls it “strong opinions, loosely held.” He encourages teams to move fast, but to change course quickly when better information appears. That’s how intelligent organizations – and people – stay relevant.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world still confuses certainty with strength. We’ve built a culture that rewards the loud and penalizes the thoughtful.

The Problem with Certainty

We live in the age of hot takes and instant experts. Everyone has an opinion, and the loudest, most aggressive voice often wins the room, not the most informed.

That’s the Dunning–Kruger effect – people who know the least tend to feel the most certain, while real experts express doubt because they understand complexity and nuance. It’s why a scientist with decades of research can get steamrolled in a debate by some populist blowhard armed with Google, misplaced confidence, and a few echo-chamber sound bites.

American historian, professor, and Librarian of the U.S. Congress, Daniel J. Boorstin once wrote: “The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance – it is the illusion of knowledge.”

Humility Is the Higher Ground

True intelligence isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about knowing when your answers have expired. Changing your mind doesn’t mean betraying your values. It’s realizing that growth rarely fits neatly within group expectations. Sometimes evolving your view means standing apart from the people who once agreed with you. Which can be uncomfortable.

Steve Jobs once flat-out refused to build a phone, certain it would ruin the iPod business and force Apple to compromise its design standards. But when his team showed him the multi-touch breakthrough, Jobs didn't double down to save face. He had the humility to reverse course, realizing the new tech would change everything. Which it did.

Certainty vs. Competence

We see this contrast everywhere. The overconfident coworker who dominates meetings but rarely delivers. The leader who mistakes charisma for clarity. The social media influencer who trades nuance for engagement.

And then there are those who pause before speaking – the ones who think, adjust, and ask better questions. They’re the ones who should be leading in the long-term. It takes courage to say, “I used to believe this, and I was wrong.” In a world addicted to being right, that kind of humility feels radical.

Author Adam Grant calls it “rethinking.” In his book Think Again, he argues that intelligence isn’t the ability to defend what you already know; it’s the willingness to rethink and relearn. Grant’s research shows that people who habitually question their own views – especially in leadership – make better decisions and create more resilient teams.

The Real Mark of Intelligence

So maybe intelligence today isn’t about being right, it’s about being ready to be wrong, and willing to learn fast when you are. It’s about balancing conviction with curiosity, and ego with evidence.

When the data changes, intelligent people pivot. When the world shifts, they evolve. And when they realize they’ve been wrong, they admit it – without shame. Because in the end, intelligence isn’t a fixed state. It’s a practice.

---

Every message has two jobs: get noticed and get remembered. That’s where I come in – helping businesses turn everyday communication into something clear, compelling, and built to last. If you’re ready to sharpen your story, let’s talk.

---

Neil Moore is a communications specialist, freelance journalist, masters athlete, and family man who believes that excellence has no expiry date.

Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by any regulatory agency or body. The information and opinions provided by this website is information obtained by and the opinion of Neil Moore and in the case of health and wellness subjects is not a substitute for the direct, individual medical treatment or advice provided to you by a healthcare provider. As well, the products or procedures mentioned on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is the responsibility of you and your healthcare providers to make all decisions regarding your health.

NeilMoore.ca recommends that any decision with respect to your health and wellness or the diagnosis and treatment of any disease or condition is a decision made in consultation with your healthcare provider. Please also review the Terms and Conditions of NeilMoore.ca with respect to this website not providing professional or specialist advice.