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Stupidly Stubborn

The past year, I have run into more than my fair share of stubborn people - in personal and professional life. Part of me thinks it might have to do with growing older and not caring quite as much as I once did about my own opinions and beliefs as I once did. Making mistakes over the years can be a humbling experience - atleast has been for me. I have found a little flexibility goes a long away - a couple of decades nothing would convince me to waver from what I held to be true. Reading this article about stubbornness written a b-school professor amused me because he is so right

Stubborn people may seem invincible, but there is a huge difference between a strong person and a stubborn person. Although stubborn people project strength and power, it is only a façade. Stubbornness is often a sign of insecurity and a way to hold on to a very fragile mental equilibrium. Truly strong people know how to compromise when necessary.

Stubborn people are often fearful of change, which explains the rigidity that characterises much of their behaviour. At an unconscious level, they perceive attempts to change their mind as personal attacks. Thus, they are always on their guard, lashing out at anyone who tries to question their ideas. Instead of accepting new information or entertain the possibility that someone else could be right, they prefer to argue their original point of view. Their insecurities make them ideal candidates for confirmation bias, i.e. the tendency to process information in ways that prop up one’s belief system.

A lot of what he describes here is true of my younger self. It seems that I have been able to overcome some of that stupidity over the years. The stubborn around me are still on their journey and given enough time and setbacks may come to see things differently - just as I did.

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