A Dozen Words …. That Matter

05 Feb A Dozen Words …. That Matter

I’m not sure Mark Twain ever actually made that comment about smart people and imbeciles.

I hope he did.

I have the same hope for each of the following:

• “Never argue with stupid people, because they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
• “The truth has no defense against a fool determined to believe a lie.”
• “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
• “All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.”
• “Few things are more irritating than when someone who is wrong is also very effective in making his point.”

Like I said, I hope he said them…or at least thought them.

I’ve borrowed from Twain’s wisdom over the years.  Better to borrow than to find my own.

I reference each of the above – and more – when I talk about 12 words every “would be” leader needs to learn, and then embrace.

Caution – they’re incredibly difficult to say – almost impossible for most of us to remember.

I’ve worked with a great many that never mastered them.

Here they are:

• “I was wrong.”
• “I don’t know.”
• “What do you think?”

And finally:

• “Thank you.”

Twain died 124 years ago. But his wisdom remains timeless.

I remind myself that his insight is arguably more important today than it was in the 1800s.

For the world – and for each of us.