9: Check your attitude

The attitude of "I know, and I am right" sets the tone for a lecture or a debate. This closes off the possibility for dialogue and deeper understanding.

By setting a tone of "knowing", you put needless pressure on yourself. You also present yourself as a threat to the other person (you think they're wrong, which makes it less safe for them to talk with you), you make it less motivating for the other person to have a conversation with you (why should they bother - you already know everything), and you make it more difficult for them to talk with you (the more convinced you are that you are right, the harder they will have to work to get through to you).

It may be true that you know (and they don't), you are smart (and they're not), and you're right (and they're wrong). But it is not useful to start a conversation with this attitude.

Remember: The tone makes the music.