“The need to be right all the time
is the biggest bar to new ideas”

Edward de Bono

We all know the feeling: when we’re so focused on being right that we become blind to new perspectives. This drive for certainty is natural, but it often stops us from exploring the very ideas that could lead to something groundbreaking.
Edward de Bono, a pioneer in creative thinking, recognized this as a major barrier to innovation.

He said it best: “The need to be right all the time is the biggest bar to new ideas.” By holding on tightly to what we think we know, we risk missing the fresh ideas that could truly make a difference.

De Bono’s career was centered around understanding how our minds work and how we can shift our thinking to be more creative. He spent years developing techniques to break free from the limitations of traditional thinking and encourage what he called “lateral thinking.” His focus was always on how we can think in new ways, challenge assumptions, and create something original.

This idea of lateral thinking can be directly tied to his quote: to think in new ways, we must let go of the constant pressure to be right.

The pressure to be right often leads us to hold tightly to our existing beliefs. It’s a natural human desire to want to be validated, to have our opinions affirmed. But when we do this, we shut ourselves off from new perspectives. We become so focused on proving ourselves correct that we stop considering the ideas of others. This is where the barrier lies: by clinging to the need for certainty, we miss the opportunity for growth.

When we let go of the need to be right all the time, we open ourselves up to creativity. New ideas don’t come from sticking rigidly to what we already know. They come from stepping into the unknown.

Think about some of the greatest innovations in history. They didn’t come from people who were afraid to be wrong. Instead, they came from those who embraced the possibility of failure and used it as a learning opportunity. Without that mindset, we would never have breakthroughs like the telephone, electricity, or even the internet.

In fact, the need to be right can often trap us in outdated ways of thinking. When we focus solely on defending our positions, we stop being open to the evolution of ideas. Whether in science, technology, or the arts, ideas constantly evolve, and each new discovery builds on what came before.

If we are so set on being right, we miss the chance to contribute to that progress. True innovation comes from being willing to question ourselves and our assumptions.

However, this isn’t to say we should abandon our beliefs or stop trying to be accurate. Instead, it’s about finding a balance.

We need to be open to the idea that our first thoughts may not always be the best ones. And that’s okay. It’s a part of the process. Only when we allow ourselves to be wrong, to fail, can we truly innovate. The most groundbreaking ideas often come from a place of uncertainty, where the willingness to be wrong becomes a stepping stone to new discoveries.

When you stop focusing solely on being right, your mind becomes a space for exploration.

Suddenly, you’re not limited by the need for validation; instead, you’re free to experiment, try new things, and even make mistakes. These mistakes are where learning happens. They’re often the foundation of great ideas that can change the world.

In a world that increasingly values new solutions and fresh perspectives, the ability to let go of the need to be right is more important than ever. To innovate, to create, and to solve problems, we must embrace flexibility in our thinking. It’s about acknowledging that there is no one right answer, but instead a multitude of possibilities waiting to be discovered. Only then can we truly make a difference.

When we stop trying to prove we’re right all the time, we make room for new ideas to grow. We free ourselves to explore, question, and innovate without fear. The next great idea could be just around the corner, waiting for you to let go of certainty and embrace the unknown.

Ideas Trading Center (ITC) is an American company bringing to market a patent-pending, easy-to-use, platform that allows idea generators to sell their new, non-obvious, and useful ideas directly and confidentially to idea reviewers and/or buyers (www.IdeasTradingCenter.com).