Frankly, I didn't think that there was anything very controversial about what I wrote. I've found that when, for instance, I've told a client or someone that I report to — I don't know, but I'll find out — that I've received a favorable response. They seem to appreciate the honesty and I've done my best to promptly find out and return with an answer. Over time, it has been a trust builder with people.
Knowing what words mean before you use them also seems to be simple common sense. It avoids appearing foolish. And, you look ridiculously stubborn to argue over what a word means when you haven't bothered to check.
Not being so insecure as to believe that you need an opinion on every topic is another way to avoid looking foolish—people that are knowledgeable about a topic can quickly detect someone trying to bluff their way thru a discussion of it. So, it's best not to exceed your limits on a subject or you will lose respect rather than gain it. People will generally be happy to share with you what they know, if you're open about what you know and what you don't know.
Listening (or reading) to learn seems to be obvious. It's hard to learn very much with an open mouth and a closed mind. Of course, choosing a knowledgeable and credible source is the key to obtaining good information.
