Communication Quote by Kathryn Schulz
““Relying on hard data, committing to open and democratic communication, acknowledging fallibility: these are the central tenets of any system that aims to protect us from error. They are also markedly different from how we normally think—from our often hasty and asymmetric treatment of evidence, from the cloistering effects of insular communities, and from our instinctive recourse to defensiveness and denial.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Limits of Knowledge” by Kathryn Schulz, 2015
Open, democratic communication and humility protect systems from error, contrasting with defensive, biased evidence handling.
In simple terms: Honesty and openness reduce mistakes.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize transparency and admit fallibility.
Themes
communication
truth
humility
error
systems
Mood
cautious
inspirational
Type
organizational
ethical
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- public policy
- scientific research
- media reporting
Key Concepts
epistemology
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What structures encourage open dialogue?
- How to balance speed and thoroughness?
A Different Perspective
Defensiveness can still dominate high‑stakes environments.
