Why Intellectual Humility is Crucial for Self-Help Authors
This month, I’ve been busy teaching my online class Words that Teach, Words that Heal: Secrets of Self-Help and Spirituality Writing. One of the subjects we cover is the importance of intellectual humility.
As a self-help author, you are by definition a science educator. And part of being a good scientist is being willing to update your beliefs in the face of compelling new evidence. In other words, good scientists don’t cling to ideas that have been proven false or incomplete—and neither should good self-help authors!
One of the best examples of intellectual humility I know occurs in Martin Seligman’s bestselling book Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Wellbeing.
When Seligman Said "Oops, Let Me Fix That!"
Remember Seligman's breakthrough book Authentic Happiness? The one that launched a thousand TED talks and wellness programs? Well, get this—years later, Seligman basically raised his hand and said, "You know what? I didn't get it quite right."
Talk about refreshing! Instead of doubling down (as so many of us might be tempted to do), he rolled up his sleeves and expanded his original happiness theory into something way more robust.
From "Happiness" to "Flourishing" (And Why It Matters)
In Flourish, Seligman admits his original focus on positive emotions and life satisfaction was just too narrow.
His new PERMA model (Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) gives us a broader perspective. And the best part? He doesn't try to pretend this was his plan all along. He straight-up tells us where his thinking evolved and why.
Here's what I love about Seligman's approach—he doesn't tiptoe around his previous limitations. No academic mumbo-jumbo or clever reframing. He just says, "Hey, focusing only on happiness as life satisfaction missed the boat. Now that I’ve given it more thought, I think it’s more complex."
Can you imagine how freeing that must feel? And how much readers appreciate that honesty? Admitting you were wrong isn’t a weakness—it’s a sign of an educated and ethical author.
What This Means for Self-Help Writers
So what can we learn from Seligman's approach?
Growth is the point! Your ideas should evolve. If they don't, this might be a sign that you’re not paying enough attention to new research, or allowing yourself to be challenged by other perspectives.
Own your "oops" moments. Explain why you were wrong, then share the information that convinced you to change your mind.
Rock that intellectual humility. Nothing builds credibility faster than saying, "I've learned more since I wrote that other book."
Don't trash your old work. Notice that Seligman builds on his foundation rather than setting it on fire.
Let evidence lead the way. Seligman's revisions come from research, not whims—showing that changing your mind can be the most rigorous move of all.
Why Being "Wrong" Can Make You Right
Let's face it—in our world of self-help writing, there's massive pressure to be the all-knowing guru who descended from the mountain with THE answer. But that's exhausting, isn't it? Not to mention dishonest.
Our readers aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for authentic guides who are a few steps ahead on the path. When we model how to gracefully change direction based on new insights, we're teaching one of life's most valuable skills.
The Mic-Drop Moment: Strength in Saying "I Was Wrong"
Here's the coolest thing about Seligman's approach in Flourish—saying "I was wrong" becomes his superpower, not his weakness. It shows he cares more about getting it right than being right.
For us self-help authors, that's gold. When we embrace our evolving understanding instead of clinging to our old ideas, we not only write more honest books—we create more powerful ones too.
So next time you're tempted to defend an outdated idea just because it's yours, channel a little Seligman magic and ask yourself: "What if admitting I was wrong is actually my next right move?"
After all, in the journey of helping others, isn't our own growth the most authentic lesson we can offer?
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