Because I Say So

“Because I say so” is not a good argument. Even a kid knows that when they hear it.

Playing the authority card can be fair play in the management of kids. In a discussion with another adult? No, not fair, and not courteous.

And not effective. People will know you’re just trying to fake them out, tryimg to sound like you know things you don’t.

Easiest way to avoid this embarrassment, I think, is to like yourself fine the way you are: as a person who doesn’t know everything. Second trick is to like knowing things more than being known as someone who knows things. Pepper your statements with “in my opinion...it seems to me...I think.” Stop telling people they’re wrong without telling them why you think so. And learn to say, “You’re right” and “oops.” I believe it will make you smarter, which is valuable, even if it  fails to make you seem smarter, which Isn’t.

I try to follow this advice myself. It can take more typing in an FB discussion and can have less impact than flat, bold assertions, but I think it’s the difference between reasoning together on a problem and just being a showoff.