When Emotional Intelligence Means Letting Go of Being Right

The battery on my Japanese import campervan had gone flat. Just as I was about to jump start it, my older neighbour rushed over arms full of jump leads, beaming with purpose.

I didn’t need rescuing. I knew what I was doing. In fact, I probably know more about these quirky vehicles than most garages.

But I let him take over.

Not because I needed help. But because he needed to help.

In that moment, I made a choice. Not to assert what I knew, but to build something more important: trust and connection.

He wanted to feel useful. And I wanted to strengthen the relationship. I swallowed my pride and stepped aside, not because I couldn’t do it, but because I cared about the longer-term outcome.

That small moment turned into a bigger one. We now have a great relationship. He’s shared stories about the area, people, and places I never would have learned otherwise.

It reminded me that emotional intelligence often asks us to put the relationship first. Pride might win the moment, but empathy often wins the long game.

Have you ever chosen connection over being right?