Have you ever gone along with something you didn’t agree with? If so it’s
good to reflect why. It’s certainly true in life and in business alike that
there are difficult choices to be faced and they all need decisions to be made.
I doubt any of us would suggest we lack the ability to make decisions
but equally it’s unlikely we would admit we were easily swayed. In truth
wanting to keep the peace, under pressure from others or simply not wanting to
be unpopular can exert great influence on us. None of us are immune to this.
Some would argue that they are in tune with most people since their opinions
are widely accepted and respected. This may seem to equate to being right when
it more likely suggests the opinion is popular. What happens when we have to
express an unpopular view though that does not run with the crowd?
Let’s imagine you join a Business with a clear philosophy based on high
principle. It works well because of a clear vision and integrity. One day there
is a change of Management and the philosophy ingrained in the Company’s success
starts to disappear. Not wanting to upset the new Boss everyone goes along with
it but in your “heart of hearts” you know it falls well outside the formula of
success of many years and you know that others are uncomfortable too.
Naturally, you ask others their opinion and this is where the challenge
begins. People have a tendency to self justify and can still sound plausible. “Look
at it this way” someone suggests “It may not be the high standards of before
but the Boss wants to stamp His own prints on things. It could be refreshing so
just go along with it”.
To most people this will sound pretty reasonable but heres a question
to consider. How much contamination are you willing to allow? This requires a
personal choice. Imagine on a hot summer’s day you feel a bit dehydrated. You
would welcome someone giving you a cold drink. Imagine though that as they
passed it to you they put one drop of poison in. Its only one drop and most of
it is pure water after all. Does it really matter?
Anything life threatening of course is dangerous ground and it’s the
same in Business. When the original vision is dropped for convenience you have
lost your Map. The risk is personal and only the strong see potential outcomes.
It’s always possible to disagree without being disagreeable. When no-one speaks
up why are they needed? At the very least we need to distinguish our views from
others. Getting it right is longer lasting than popularity.
