Based on an article published by Shane Parrish titled, "The Difference Between Amateurs and Professionals,” I'm reflecting on some of his key points with today's discussion on:

“Amateurs focus on being right. Professionals focus on getting the best outcome."

Leaders with big egos could be categorized in the amateur column. They're still captivated by their own talents and personal success, too insecure to appreciate the talent surrounding them. They also tend to hire those they consider to have skills and intellect beneath theirs.

On the other hand, professionals are smart enough to realize they need people on their team smarter than them in order to accomplish extraordinary results. Their first concern is not how they look in light of success or failure, but rather on getting the best outcomes that attain their vision and mission. They develop and resource their team members, setting them up to achieve success. Ironically, a focus on the best outcomes elevates the value of the one who empowers and pushes the team to achieve.

If you're the type of person who always needs to be right, consider the following tactics to help you change:

1. Talk to a trusted counselor about the negative place from where this need to be right comes.
2. Intentionally give up control by assigning others on your team to run point on certain projects.
3. Ask your team members to keep you accountable—for example, they could use a certain trigger word to remind you when you're wrong and need to acknowledge the fact.
4. Force yourself to ask more questions and seek out the opinions of your team members.