Being right vs. being effective

I've been an elected school board member since January 2017 and it has been an interesting experience. As a perpetual learner, I make time for professional development and attending our state school board association's annual workshop.

I still remember a 2019 workshop session, where the presenters, Matt Lee from NJSBA and David Sarnoff from Loeb Leadership, asked: "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be effective?"

That was a powerful question in how it was framed, because there was turmoil on my local school board, and it seemed to me that some individuals were more interested in "being right" than "being effective," i.e. doing what was best for the students in our district. And, after reflecting on the question in relation to myself, I had to acknowledge that I too, often wanted to prove my point was "right." It is a question I continue to reflect upon and try to improve (see last week's post on ego.)

The question can be applied to all aspects of our lives. What is your individual or your organization's ultimate goal, and are your actions and/or the organization's actions moving you toward or away from that goal?