Scott McKain Says “Change Your Mind”

Posted: Monday January 31, 2011 under Lead Myself

Scott McKain, author of three #1 business bestsellers, posted some great advice on his blog a few days ago. Here are Scott’s thoughts, which you can also read on his blog.

Scott …

Years ago, a band I really liked named Sister Hazel, had a song I loved called, “Change Your Mind.”

The chorus went:
If you want to be somebody else,
If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself
If you want to be somebody else
Change your mind…

I hate it that when a political figure changes his or her mind, we accuse them of “flip flopping.”

We never assume they reached a more intelligent decision because they acquired new knowledge, they reflected upon their viewpoint and reached an alternative conclusion, or they received information that caused them to re-evaluate their position.

Sometimes you give advice to a person — like a friend or even one of your children — that they decide not to follow. If they end up in trouble, it doesn’t mean your advice was wrong.

Sometimes you give advice to an organization — if you are a manager, consultant, or otherwise involved — that they decide not to follow. If they end up in trouble, it doesn’t mean your advice was wrong.

In addition, sometimes what was true changes over time.

I wrote many years ago about President Ronald Reagan. That doesn’t mean I think he is President today…however, it WAS true THEN. Similarly, positions any of us held a decade ago should not mean we hold the same viewpoint today.

It does not mean those positions are true now …it means you believed it then.

If you still believe every single thing you thought ten years ago, I wonder if you are relevant in today’s world.

Don’t get me wrong — values should be enduring. What you hold dear personally and professionally as life and business ethics should not be subject to the whims of the moment or the winds of time.

However, for example, just because you thought Atari was cutting edge many years ago doesn’t mean you have to feel that way today. And, if you do… something’s wrong.

If someone insists you can’t change your mind — when you are confronted with new evidence or the unwillingness of others to follow your recommendations… something’s wrong with THEM.

Learning. Growing. Changing. They are all signs of integrity and purposely trying to improve — not of being “wishy washy” or ungrounded.

If you want to be somebody else…if you want to grow and learn and stop fighting battles with yourself… change your mind.