Stubbornness is refusing to change your mind or behavior even when you probably should. A stubborn person digs in their heels and won't budge, like a mule that plants its feet and won't move no matter how much you pull on its reins.

Sometimes stubbornness looks like determination or perseverance. The difference lies in whether you're sticking to something for good reasons or just refusing to listen. A student who keeps trying to solve a hard math problem shows determination. But a student who insists their wrong answer is right, even after the teacher explains the correct method, shows stubbornness.

Stubbornness becomes a real problem when it keeps you from learning, growing, or getting along with others. If you refuse to admit you made a mistake, refuse to try a new approach that might work better, or refuse to compromise when working on a group project, your stubbornness can hurt you and everyone around you.

While persistence in the face of real challenges is admirable, stubbornness means being unwilling to change even when change makes sense.