Being Right vs Being Curious

Back in 2019, I had a minor dental procedure.

Afterward, I said to the dentist, “something doesn't feel right.”

He responded, “I've been doing this for 30 years. I know what I'm doing.”

We proceeded to have this back-and-forth for my next three visits, with me saying that something wasn't right, and him saying that he knows what he's doing.

As you might imagine, I started looking for a new dentist.

I visited three different dentists over the course of the last few years, trying a fourth this past Monday.

Being Right vs Being Curious

Immediately upon meeting Dentist #4, he said:

“Tell me about what is going on. I'll take a look as well, but oftentimes the patient's experience of what is happening is more accurate than what I can see with technology.”

I nearly leapt out of the chair to hug him.

Dentist #1 was committed to being right.

Dentist #4 was committed to being curious.

As you might expect, I'll be returning to Dentist #4.

We can consider this idea in our own lives, as well.

Questions to Ponder

Are there any instances in which our commitment to being right is getting in the way of our leadership, our relationships, or our parenting effectiveness?

Are there any instances where my stubbornness is getting in the way of my leadership or my effectiveness?

What could it look like to stay curious for just a bit longer?