Why You Can't Admit You're Wrong (Even When You Know It)

People will burn their savings, their friendships, and whole companies to avoid saying “I fucked up.” I explain why people defend their egos against the facts, why smart people do it best, and how you can help someone change course without a fight.

I cover the signs that someone is protecting their ego, what founders, managers, and investors pay for their pride, and how you can build a golden bridge so people back down with their dignity intact. Then I turn it on myself. I do this too, and I share the tripwires I use to catch my own bullshit before it costs me.

Chapters

• 00:00 Why people won’t say “I fucked up”
• 00:57 The story we tell about ourselves
• 01:32 Why smart people defend their egos hardest
• 01:49 Signs someone is protecting their ego
• 02:28 What people pay for their pride
• 03:12 How to help someone admit they’re wrong
• 04:41 Check your own ego first
• 05:30 Tripwires for your own bullshit