We have all heard the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right.” Many parents and teachers use this proverb to teach children that doing something wrong in response to another person’s wrongdoing does not solve the problem. This lesson was designed to help us choose the high road and to learn better behavior. But you may wonder how it’s possible to choose the high road when faced with conversations and decisions that focus on differing perspectives, sometimes resulting in conflict with others. Is it possible that two people who disagree on an issue can both be right, and if so, how do we handle it? Is it possible that two rights don’t make a wrong? This twist on the “two wrongs don’t make a right” proverb might help us all choose the high road and be better behaved if we can think carefully and apply it when we find ourselves at odds with others.

To illustrate, think back to a recent decision you made at work. It could have been a decision to provide constructive feedback to an employee instead of keeping your thoughts to yourself or perhaps to personally contact a customer to solicit feedback rather than send an e-mail. Now that you have a decision in mind, consider the reasons behind your decision. In other words, what criteria did you use when making your decision? Understanding the reasons behind how and why we make decisions helps us to understand ourselves better and to understand and collaborate with others - whether it’s employees, peers, customers or even family members.